Radio Sounding Research Articles

The analysis of water vapor distribution over Taklimakan Desert

Up to now, all analysis of the distribution of water vapor over the Taklimakan desert area only depends on limited ground measurements and radio soundings setting mostly on the outer margin area. This paper establishes an approach to retrieve the water vapor over the desert at high temporal and spatial resolutions by the use of FY2C geostationary satellite split-window channels in cooperation with ground-based GPS water vapor measurement. Results show that the water vapor distribution over the Taklimakan desert is affected highly by topography and surface properties. The outer margin area has generally more water vapor than the inner area. Over the outer margin area, the western part has more water vapor than the eastern part, and the northern part has more than the southern part. The driest area lies to the south of Tazhong, east of Hotan River, and extended to the south boundary of the desert. Similar to elsewhere, water vapor over the desert area shows diurnal, monthly, seasonal and annual variations even at the driest inner area of the desert. In summer, the water vapor is transported from west to east over a long distance along the westerlies at a height between 700–400 hPa and with the average speed of 50 km h−1.

CO2 dilution in the lower atmosphere from temperature and wind speed profiles

Temperature and wind speed profiles obtained from 3 years of radio acoustic sounding system sodar measurements at a rural site in the northern Spanish plateau were fitted to polynomial functions. Depending on the extrema of these fits, several groups of profiles were considered. Daily evolution of temperature profiles corresponded to the lower boundary layer evolution. However, wind speed profiles revealed a frequent low-level jet during the whole day. CO2 surface concentrations were analysed, and surface CO2 dilution was also considered by selection of thin canopies with variable depth, resulting in dilution rates of 7 and 18 ppm when the layer increased 100 m for the 95th percentile and temperature and wind speed profiles, respectively.

Space and ground segment performance and lessons learned of the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission: four years in orbit

Abstract. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) Mission consisting of six Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites is the world's first demonstration constellation using radio occultation signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The atmospheric profiles derived by processing radio occultation signals are retrieved in near real-time for global weather/climate monitoring, numerical weather prediction, and space weather research. The mission has processed, on average, 1400 to 1800 high-quality atmospheric sounding profiles per day. The atmospheric radio occultation data are assimilated into operational numerical weather prediction models for global weather prediction, including typhoon/hurricane/cyclone forecasts. The radio occultation data has shown a positive impact on weather predictions at many national weather forecast centers. A follow-on mission was proposed that transitions the current experimental research mission into a significantly improved real-time operational mission, which will reliably provide 8000 radio occultation soundings per day. The follow-on mission, as planned, will consist of 12 LEO satellites (compared to 6 satellites for the current mission) with data latency requirement of 45 min (compared to 3 h for the current mission), which will provide greatly enhanced opportunities for operational forecasts and scientific research. This paper will address the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC system and mission overview, the spacecraft and ground system performance after four years in orbit, the lessons learned from the encountered technical challenges and observations, and the expected design improvements for the spacecraft and ground system for FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2.

Sensing of the structure of the radio wave refractivity in the troposphere by a network of satellite navigation system receivers in the city of Kazan

We present the results of an experimental study of the structure of the radio-wave refractivity and its dynamics by a network of seven ground-based GPS and GLONASS receivers in Kazan, Russia. It is shown that the remote sensing results agree well with the data of weather stations, radio sounding, and reanalysis. The standard deviation of the refractivity value, which are obtained using the sensing results from the radio sounding data amounts to 2% of the average value at altitudes of up to 500 m. It is found that the refractivity structure has overnight variations, as well as and mesoscale spatial and temporal variability.

Multi-frequency doppler radio sounding of the ionosphere in the “Equatorial trigger” experiment

Results of processing the data of multi-frequency Doppler sounding of the low-latitude ionosphere are presented. Interesting features in the behavior of time variations of the Doppler frequency shift are found. These features are interpreted as manifestations of wave disturbances in the ionospheric plasma density.

Detecting a Large-Scale Upper-Atmospheric Plasma Inhomogeneity Using the Method of Multifrequency Radio Sounding in the Decametric Wavelength Range

We examine the problem of transionospheric sounding with satellite radio signals at frequencies that are close to the edge of the radio transparency frequency range of the ionosphere. We derive asymptotic formulas for the group delay time of the transionospheric radio signal and present an example of how they are implemented if there is a localized large-scale electron density inhomogeneity in the ionosphere. Finally, we suggest techniques for detecting large-scale ionospheric inhomogeneities, which are based on numerical-asymptotic synthesis of disturbed distance-frequency characteristics of decametric signals radiated from a low-orbiting or geostationary satellite.

The Helsinki Testbed: A Mesoscale Measurement, Research, and Service Platform

Abstract The Finnish Meteorological Institute and Vaisala have established a mesoscale weather observational network in southern Finland. The Helsinki Testbed is an open research and quasi-operational program designed to provide new information on observing systems and strategies, mesoscale weather phenomena, urban and regional modeling, and end-user applications in a high-latitude (~60°N) coastal environment. The Helsinki Testbed and related programs feature several components: observing system design and implementation, small-scale data assimilation, nowcasting and short-range numerical weather prediction, public service, and commercial development of applications. Specifically, the observing instrumentation focuses on meteorological observations of meso-gamma-scale phenomena that are often too small to be detected adequately by traditional observing networks. In particular, more than 40 telecommunication masts (40 that are 120 m high and one that is 300 m high) are instrumented at multiple heights. Other instrumentation includes one operational radio sounding (and occasional supplemental ones), ceilometers, aerosol-particle and trace-gas instrumentation on an urban flux-measurement tower, a wind profiler, and four Doppler weather radars, three of which have dual-polarimetric capability. The Helsinki Testbed supports the development and testing of new observational instruments, systems, and methods during coordinated field experiments, such as the NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). Currently, the Helsinki Testbed Web site typically receives more than 450,000 weekly visits, and more than 600 users have registered to use historical data records. This article discusses the three different phases of development and associated activities of the Helsinki Testbed from network development and observational campaigns, development of the local analysis and prediction system, and testing of applications for commercial services. Finally, the Helsinki Testbed is evaluated based on previously published criteria, indicating both successes and shortcomings of this approach.

Comparison between sliding spectral method and back propagation method for radio occultation data

The sliding spectral (SS) method of processing radio occultation data in multipath zone is introduced in detail and compared with back propagation (BP) method through processing simulated data and COSMIC soundings. The modeled signals are inverted with the use of two methods: BP method and SS method. Both methods can solve the problem of calculating bending angle profiles in multipath regions. Better agreement with Abel integral is indicated by the BP method. The BP method is almost free from noise, while the SS method will be affected severely by noise. About 4500 COSMIC radio occultation soundings are retrieved by the BP method and the SS method, and the statistical comparison of retrieved refractivity with that from ECMWF analyses shows that the SS method has better penetration ability than the BP method in the lower moist troposphere. The mean of fractional difference in refractivity retrieved by the BP method is generally smaller than that by the SS method.

The Balloon-the-Shower programme of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The southern part of the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina investigates cosmic rays with energies above about 5·1017 eV. High-energy events which have been recorded with both detector components, surface water Cherenkov tanks and fluorescence telescopes, are crucial for the energy calibration of the entire detector system. Using this method, the energy reconstruction of extensive air showers relies on a proper fluorescence light reconstruction which depends on the knowledge of atmospheric conditions like pressure, temperature and water vapour. These properties of the atmosphere vary with altitude and in time. Therefore, a dedicated monitoring programme has operated since March 2009 to measure an actual atmospheric profile with meteorological radio soundings shortly after the detection of a high-energy air shower with E0 > 2·1019 eV. We will present the technical implementation of this programme as well as a reconstruction analysis using the data obtained. The reconstructed primary energy of air showers and the position of the shower maximum are compared with those results using either monthly models for the local atmospheric conditions or global meteorological models.

Frequency fluctuation of spacecraft radio signals in the circumsolar plasma

Frequency fluctuation data of monochromatic radio waves propagating through the circumsolar plasma in 1975–2002 are systematized and analyzed. The radial dependences of the intensity of the frequency fluctuations are obtained for the decimeter radio waves in the circumsolar plasma from the results of radio sounding using the Ulysses and Galileo spacecrafts. It is demonstrated that the radial profile of the rms frequency fluctuations can be approximated by a power-law function whose exponent is determined by the intensity of the plasma inhomogeneities, the velocity of solar wind, the spectral index of the spatial spectrum of the plasma fluctuations, and the outer scale of turbulence. It is also shown that three different frequency fluctuation regimes are found in the solar wind acceleration region and in the inner and outer regions of the stable solar wind.

Simulation and Interpretation of the Phase Data Used by the Radar Refractivity Retrieval Algorithm

Abstract The radar refractivity retrieval algorithm applied to radar phase measurements from ground targets can provide high-resolution, near-surface moisture estimates in time and space. The reliability of the retrieval depends on the quality of the returned phase measurements, which are affected by factors such as 1) the vertical variation of the refractive index along the ray path and 2) the properties of illuminated ground targets (e.g., the height and shape of the targets intercepted by radar rays over complex terrain). These factors introduce ambiguities in the phase measurement that have not yet been considered in the refractivity algorithm and that hamper its performance. A phase measurement simulator was designed to better understand the effect of these factors. The results from the simulation were compared with observed phase measurements for selected atmospheric propagation conditions estimated from low-level radio sounding profiles. Changes in the vertical gradient of refractivity coupled with the varying heights of targets are shown to have some influence on the variability of phase fields. However, they do not fully explain the noisiness of the real phase observations because other factors that are not included in the simulation, such as moving ground targets, affect the noisiness of phase measurements.

Predicting the unpredictable; evidence of pre‐seismic anticipatory behaviour in the common toad

The widespread belief that animals can anticipate earthquakes (EQs) is poorly supported by evidence, most of which consists of anecdotal post hoc recollections and relates to a very short period immediately before such events. In this study, a population of reproductively active common toads Bufo bufo were monitored over a period of 29 days, before, during and after the EQ (on day 10) at L'Aquila, Italy, in April 2009. Although our study site is 74 km from L'Aquila, toads showed a dramatic change in behaviour 5 days before the EQ, abandoning spawning and not resuming normal behaviour until some days after the event. It is unclear what environmental stimuli the toads were responding to so far in advance of the EQ, but reduced toad activity coincides with pre-seismic perturbations in the ionosphere, detected by very low frequency (VLF) radio sounding. We compare the response of toads to the EQ with the reported responses to seismic activity of several other species.

Estimation of precipitable water vapour from GPS measurements in Argentina: Validation and qualitative analysis of results

This paper presents PWV estimates from GPS data computed at four continuously operated GPS stations in Argentina established at Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario and Salta over a 1 year period (2006–2007). The objective is to analyze the behaviour of the GPS PWV estimation using mean tropospheric temperature ( T m ) values from the Bevis model, Sapucci model and obtained by a numerical integration of variables provided by the operational analysis of the National Centre of Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The results are validated using PWV values from nearest radio soundings. Moreover, a comparison between PWV values determined from microwave sensors deployed on the NOAA-18 satellite and PWV from GPS observations is also presented. From the analysis we can see that the computation of GPS PWV using the T m from the Bevis model, originally deduced for the northern hemisphere, shows similar behaviour to the respective computation using a Sapucci model inside 0.5 mm. The differences between the T m values computed from the Sapucci model and the numerical integration of NCEP variables are of the order of 15 K, although it does not represent a significant error in PWV. Nevertheless, differences in bias are imperceptible during the dry period and they are as big as 3 mm during the moist or high precipitation period. This behaviour could not represent an improvement when comparing radio soundings with respect to the GPS PWV values using different estimations of T m . Thus, we conclude that the usage of T m estimated from the Bevis model is the best choice for regional studies, considering the simplicity and dissemination of the method, unless some more studies taking into account the geographical and climatological characteristic of the region are performed. As expected, GPS PWV values show very good agreement with radio sounding determinations, small differences can be observed especially during extreme precipitation periods. In general the NOAA PWV values denote an over estimation of the available water vapour. It is important to note that the determination of PWV is not the mean product of the NOAA-18 satellite mission. These results show the potential of such a product although a preliminary calibration using GPS PWV is still necessary.

Influence of anisotropic fluctuations of the ionosphere plasma density on deep radio sounding by a ultra wide band radar with synthesized aperture

The problem of deep sounding of planet interior using ultra wide band radar with synthesized aperture is considered for the case when anisotropic fluctuations of the ionosphere plasma density take place. Modeling is performed for a number of values of the medium and radar characteristic parameters. The degree of influence of mutual orientation of the anisotropy direction of ionospheric fluctuations and of the spacecraft flight trajectory is estimated. It is demonstrated that widening of radar pulses is determined by characteristic spatial scale of ionosphere plasma disturbances in the transverse direction relative to the spacecraft flight trajectory. On the other hand, attenuation of the peak power of the pulses is shown to be determined basically by the longitudinal scale of disturbance correlations.

Application of linear frequency modulated signals in three-dimensional radio tomography

A method is proposed for reconstructing three-dimensional images of scattering inhomogeneities from the results of wideband multiposition radio sounding in the millimeter-wave range with the help of linear frequency modulated signals. An algorithm is devised that implements the method based on the fast Fourier transform algorithm and ensures the real-time data processing. Results of numerical simulations, processed experimental data, and reconstructed images of test objects are considered.

HAMSTRAD-Tropo, A 183-GHz Radiometer Dedicated to Sound Tropospheric Water Vapor Over Concordia Station, Antarctica

The H2O Antarctica Microwave Stratospheric and Tropospheric Radiometers (HAMSTRAD) program aims to develop two ground-based microwave radiometers to sound tropospheric and stratospheric water vapor (H2O) above Dome C (Concordia Station), Antarctica (75°06' S, 123°21'E, 3233 m asml), an extremely cold and dry environment, over decades. By using state-of-the-art technology, the HAMSTRAD-Tropo radiometer uses spectral information in the domains 51-59 GHz (oxygen line) and 169-197 GHz (water vapor line) to derive accurate tropospheric profiles of temperature (with accuracy ranging from 1 to 2 K) and low absolute humidity (with accuracy ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 g · m-3), together with integrated water vapor (with accuracy of about 0.008 kg · m-2) and liquid water path. Prior to its installation at Dome C in January 2009, the fully automated radiometer has been deployed at the Pic du Midi (PdM, 42°56'N, 0°08'E, 2877 m asml, France) in February 2008 and was in operation for five months. Preliminary comparisons with radio soundings particularly launched in the vicinity of PdM in February 2008 and the outputs from the mesoscale MESO-NH model show a great consistency to within 0.2-0.3 g · m-3 between all absolute humidity data sets whatever the atmosphere considered (extremely dry or wet).

Comparison of macroscopic cloud data from ground-based measurements using VIS/NIR and IR instruments at Lindenberg, Germany

A comparison between different types of ground-based sensors has been carried out to derive macroscopic cloud data such as cloud cover and cloud-base heights. The instruments compared in the campaign at the Meteorological Observatory Lindenberg in the period May to September 2006 include an infrared (IR) sky scanner called Nubiscope, a Daylight VIS/NIR Whole Sky Imager (WSI), a ceilometer LD-40 measuring in the near infrared region (NIR) and a Ka band cloud radar measuring in the micro wave band (extremely high frequency or EHF) region. In addition, our data analysis included regular hourly cloud observations by weather observers, and vertical profiles of temperature, humidity and winds taken from six-hourly radio soundings at the site. The comparison has been focused on performance and features of the Nubiscope as a prototype instrument for automatic cloud observations. Cloud cover (CC) derived from the Nubiscope cloud algorithm compares quite well with CC derived from both WSI and from observations. CC differences are within ± 2 Okta in 67% of cases between Nubiscope and observations, and in 90% of cases between Nubiscope and WSI. The cloud detection capability as derived from the zenith signals of Nubiscope and WSI shows coincidence in about 90% of cases. For cloud-base heights (CBHs) from Nubiscope data and ceilometer as well as from radar reflectivity, the comparison showed a general good correspondence in the lower and middle troposphere up to heights of about 6 km with some systematic difference due to the different detection methods. For the upper troposphere above 6 km the differences become widespread and more random. Cloud detection capabilities of the instruments are also illustrated by a case study of moving clouds with patterns similar to contrails that were erroneously classified as such by the weather observer mainly due to lack of height information that the ceilometer did not provide. By combined information from WSI, radio sonde humidity and radar, they were shown not to be contrails, but most likely low-level water clouds either of natural origin or built from aircraft at their ascent or descent flight close to the airport.

Radio wave interference sounding based on the data of dynamic simulation of two-layer geoelectric media

The idea and the approximate theory of radio wave interference sounding (RWIS) of layered geological media have been known for a long time and are based on a simplified ray kinematic theory. The results of mathematical simulation of two-layer geo-electric sections based on strict classical dynamic approaches for plane radio waves are considered. The peculiarities of radio wave reflection at the boundaries of the media with different permittivities and specific electric resistances of the layers are revealed. The prospects for RWIS development for the solution of practical problems during near-surface prospecting are given.

Signal processing techniques for phase-coded HF-VHF radars

HF-VHF radar techniques are easy to employ and commonly used in geophysical applications. They include deep radio soundings, used for probing the ionosphere, stratosphere-mesosphere measurement, weather forecast and radio-glaciology. Fast algorithms and powerful processors facilitate the development of several kinds of low power radars, but the reduction of the transmitted power has to be compensated by on-line processing of an encoded signal to maintain a favorable signal-to-noise ratio suitable for detection. Moreover, radars have to reconstruct return echoes with different travel times due to various origins (multi-path, adjacent objects, etc.). Such needs can be accomplished by means of signal phase coding and one of the most attractive is the reversal phase code. The composite echo signal must be processed to extract the physical information useful for the measurement considered. In this paper some algorithms used for on-line processing of phase-coded signals will be described, both in time and frequency domain.

Quasi-parabolic reflecting bottom surfaces of the Drygalski Antarctic floating ice tongue

Very high frequency deep radio sounding systems for ice thickness measurements are practically the only useful apparatuses for large scale radar flight surveys in polar regions. The morphology of the bottom surface of an Antarctic floating ice tongue, in the Ross Sea area, East Antarctica, was studied using the arrival times of signal echoes of the radio sounding system. The amplitude variations of radar signals from the reflecting surface were analyzed to determine the gain or the loss of the reflectors. Such surfaces show quasi-parabolic geometrical shapes at the ice/water interface with both concave and convex faces towards the sounding system. Electromagnetic analysis performed on radar echoes indicates that amplitude variations detected by the antenna are focusing or defocusing effects only due to the reflector's shape. A factor in the radar equation that represents the surface shape when coherent reflectors are involved is introduced. This factor allows us to determine more precisely the morphology and electromagnetic characteristics of the interface between the media investigated by means of radio echo sounding.