Operational configuration and software evaluation of the RNDSUP Doppler radars for the Australian weather radar network

Finding an appropriate balance between unambiguous range and Nyquist velocity, and between clear-air detection and volume scan update cycle are problems to be tackled when specifying a configuration for an operational radar network. While dynamically varying or interactively user-controlled configurations can have advantages, these are often considered impractical for operational networks. In Australia radars have traditionally been configured to suit the local conditions, and have varied in time as service requirements or radar capabilities have changed. With more and more products and services being generated automatically from radar data, and with a radar network growing in complexity and size, a standard configuration has become desirable to ensure product availability and to make the network manageable. At the same time attempts are being made to optimize radar performance for both legacy products and services and service improvement initiatives. The adoption of klystron technology for future applications (such as relative humidity profiling) has also brought with it the need to address range folded echoes. Features of the GDRX signal processor on the Gematronik Doppler radars are being evaluated for use in optimizing the radar's configuration to be able to deliver the products and services envisaged by the RNDSU Project. Volumetric scanning configurations designed to suit outputs with multiple and sometimes contradictory requirements are discussed. Evaluation of dual prf methods to extend Nyquist velocities, and second trip recovery techniques are also described.