31st International Conference on Radar Meteorology

P5B.10

Airborne proximity radar for laser eye safety: design and development

Frank Pratte, UCAR/NCAR, Boulder, CO; and G. R. Gray and J. Fox

Probing the atmosphere using certain wavelengths of high intensity light presents a potential hazard to pilots of aircraft at close range. The system design of a pulsed Doppler radar for the specific purpose of aircraft detection and laser shutdown is described. A radar of this type was built and fielded for the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) to protect general aviation aircrews as well as project personnel from narrow-beam laser emissions of the airborne LEANDRE II water vapor remote sensor. This paper includes a discussion of the design and implementation tradeoffs among target detection in clutter, antenna performance, reliability, mechanical size and weight, aerodynamic load, radio frequency interference, and suitable signal processor. A companion paper describes the detection algorithm and parameters.

Poster Session 5B, Radar Systems/Network Poster
Monday, 11 August 2003, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM

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