Phased-array radar applications

Scan Control Functionality for Faster Updates
on NSSL's Phased-Array Radar

In a 2008 survey about scanning strategy improvements for the WSR-88D conducted by the US National Weather Service (NWS), 62% of forecasters indicated the need for faster updates. High-temporal resolution data (~1 min) is expected to improve the understanding, detection, and warning of hazardous weather phenomena.

With faster updates as one of our major goals, significant hardware, software infrastructure, and signal processing upgrades continue to be accomplished to support the NWRT mission as a demonstrator system for the Multi-function Phased-Array Radar (MPAR) concept.

Two methods are currently exploited to reduce scan times without sacrificing data precision or spatial sampling: adaptive range oversampling and focused observations. The latter can be possible through a series of improvements to the radar's scan control functionality. These are summarized in a conference paper that was presented at the 2013 AMS Annual Meeting in Austin, TX.

Through continuous engineering upgrades, we are able to demonstrate that PAR technology can be exploited to achieve performance levels that are unfeasible with current operational technology. Nonetheless, more research is needed to translate these improvements into concrete, measurable, and meaningful service improvements.

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