8 NCAR SpolKa dual-wavelength polarimetric radar: design and improvement of Ka-band radar system

Monday, 26 September 2011
Grand Ballroom (William Penn Hotel)
Pei-Sang Tsai, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and E. Loew, J. M. Emmett, C. D. Burghart, M. Dixon, J. H. VanAndel, and S. Ellis
Manuscript (829.7 kB)

Handout (829.7 kB)

Ellis and Vivekanandan et al (2005) demonstrated a technique for water vapor retrieval using dual-wavelength polarimetic radars during SPolKa field deployment RICO. At that time, a number of instabilities in the radar system were identified. The NCAR Ka-band system has recently undergone upgrades to improve the operation lifetime, system stability, and system sensitivity. This paper describes the system modifications in data processor, transmitter, front-end design, and calibration that have improved the performance of the NCAR Ka-band system.
- Indicates paper has been withdrawn from meeting
- Indicates an Award Winner