Extended Abstract (3.5M)P3.3
The DOW Mobile Multiple-Doppler Network
Joshua Wurman, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
The University of Oklahoma, in collaboration with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, has developed the mobile multiple-Doppler DOW network that has participated in several experiments and is available to the community for a variety of projects.
The DOW2 and DOW3 radars have similar characteristics, with 3-cm 250 kW transmitters capable of generating pulses ranging from 0.1 ms to > 1 ms, and PRFs of < 500 through 5000, soon to be 7000Hz. 2.44 m diameter antennas can scan at rates of up to 60°s-1, providing sector or 360° sweeps every 4-6 s, and 10 tilt volumes in 40-60 s. PIRAQII processing provides sampling gates of 12 m - > 600 m, Doppler processing, staggered PRT processing, limited full time series retrieval, real-time display, remote displays, clutter filtering, and other features. Over 130 beams per second can be processed in high PRF mode, to accommodate quick scanning and oversampling at up to 60°s-1. In single PRF mode, Nyquist intervals of +/- 32 ms-1 are obtained at 5000 Hz; using staggered PRF, +/- 128 is possible, virtually eliminating aliased data. In the summer months, clear air Doppler data are useful to ~30 km range.
While the DOW2 and DOW3 have been operated individually in various programs (MAP, Juneau-Turbulence, etc.), they are most valuable as a quickly deployable dual-Doppler network. In several programs (ROTATE, IPEX, STEP, CMRP) the DOW2 and DOW3 have collected coordinated high-resolution dual-Doppler data. Precise and quick leveling systems, a correlation technique for navigating data, and other customizations have been developed.
New DOWs have been developed and are being fielded for the first time in 2000-2001. The DOW4 and DOW5 radars utilize smaller trucks for more versatility outside the mid-west USA. The DOW4 has been developed by BINET Inc. and is owned by the National Observatory of Athens and will participate in tornado studies in ROTATE-01. It is a dual-polarization system capable of measuring ZdR and Phi-dP using a simultaneous transmit, H/V receive method. The DOW5 has similar characteristics to the DOW2 and DOW3, but is on a smaller platform. Together the DOW2, DOW3, DOW4, and DOW5 comprise a powerful mobile research network.
Poster Session 3, Radar Systems—Recent Developments
Thursday, 19 July 2001, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM
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