A Modular Wind Profiler Development: Status and Future Plans

NCAR is developing a prototype modular wind profiler radar network to support measurements for a broad range of meteorological studies. The new wind profiler operates at 449 MHz, and features a low side-lobe antenna design, scalable electronics and advanced signal processing methods. The modular design uses a set of panels that can be operated together in various groupings to provide flexible profiling capability that covers a range of altitudes and network sizes. For example, the modules could be deployed as multiple small radars to study the boundary layer over an extended area. Alternatively, the modules could be combined together to create a more powerful and sensitive radar capable of probing higher into the atmosphere. A prototype 3-module boundary layer system has been constructed and successfully deployed during the PCAPS (Persistent Cold Air Pool Study) experiment in the Salt Lake valley. A 7-module prototype is nearing completion. Ultimately at least 19 modules are envisioned, which would allow a deployable network of six (3-module) boundary layer profilers, or two (7-module) mid-troposphere profilers, or one (19-module) full troposphere profiler. The new system would be deployed as an integrated suite of instruments, with lidars and other in-situ and remote sensors, and is intended to meet the diverse needs for studies of the atmospheric surface layer, boundary layer, free troposphere, and tropopause region. We will present the status of this development, initial results, and future plans