A wing pod-based millimeter wavelength airborne cloud radar
This paper describes a novel, airborne pod-based millimeter (mm) wavelength radar. Its frequency of operation is 94 GHz (3 mm wavelength). The radar has been designed to fly on the NCAR Gulfstream V HIAPER aircraft; however, it could be deployed on other similarly equipped aircraft. The pod-based co...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2015-08-01
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| Series: | Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems |
| Online Access: | http://www.geosci-instrum-method-data-syst.net/4/161/2015/gi-4-161-2015.pdf |
| Summary: | This paper describes a novel, airborne pod-based millimeter (mm) wavelength
radar. Its frequency of operation is 94 GHz (3 mm wavelength). The radar
has been designed to fly on the NCAR Gulfstream V HIAPER aircraft; however,
it could be deployed on other similarly equipped aircraft. The pod-based
configuration occupies minimum cabin space and maximizes scan coverage. The
radar system is capable of collecting observations in a staring mode between
zenith and nadir or in a scanning mode. Standard pulse-pair estimates of
moments and raw time series of backscattered signals are recorded. The radar
system design and characteristics as well as techniques for calibrating
reflectivity and correcting Doppler velocity for aircraft attitude and motion
are described. The radar can alternatively be deployed in a ground-based
configuration, housed in the 20 ft shipping container it shares with the
High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL). The radar was tested both on the
ground and in flight. Preliminary measurements of Doppler and polarization
measurements were collected and examples are presented. |
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| ISSN: | 2193-0856 2193-0864 |