Space Weather Systems

Multifrequency Meteorological Radar

Versatile instrumentation radars at 13.6, 25, and 37 GHz have been developed under the sponsorship of NASA. These radars are developed for precise measurements of cross-polarization parameters scattered from raindrops. Use of special self-calibration channel ensures scattering cross-section measurements with precision of 0.1 dB and phase measurements of a fraction of a degree.

Multifrequency observations allow rain drop-size distribution and the dual polarization (in both receiver and transmitter), allows drop shape estimation. These radars provide Doppler information and allow a variety of waveforms to be incorporated. It can be used to distinguish between rain and snow.

Primary use of this radar system is to calibrate satellite-borne rain measuring system. These radars are portable and can be mounted in the aircrafts. They provide coverage for over kms.

Besides the rain observations, several other applications involve: