This paper describes a new project that will digitize radar signals coming from eight channels on the phased array antenna at the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) in Norman, Oklahoma. At the current time, a single-channel digital receiver is operational to mimic the current WSR-88D capability. The multi-channel digital data will foster a new generation of adaptive/fast scanning techniques and space-antenna/interferometry measurements, which will then be used for high-resolution numerical weather prediction via data assimilation. Differing from the conventional rotating radar, the phased array is suited for multi-mission capabilities so that a variety of targets may be observed simultaneously with a high degree of fidelity. The development of a multi-channel receiver will be the catalyst and an enabling tool for research in this area for the next decade.

Instrumentation of the Phased Array Radar system with a multi-channel receiver suite will bring the full creativity of researchers using advanced techniques for maximizing the information from radar observations, and optimally using them in numerical models to improve weather prediction. The multi-channel receiver will collect signals from the sum, azimuth-difference, elevation-difference, and five broad-beamed auxiliary channels. One of the major advantages of the NWRT is the capability to adaptively scan weather phenomena at higher temporal resolution than is possible by the WSR-88D. Hemispherical coverage in 1 min or less vs. 4 min, can be accomplished without compromising data accuracy. The multi-channel receiver will allow direct implementation of inteferometry techniques to measure cross-beam wind, shear and turbulence within a radar resolution volume. Access to the auxiliary channels will enable clutter mitigation and advanced array processing for high data quality with short dwell times. Potential benefits of high quality and high resolution data together with cross-beam wind, shear and turbulence include better understanding of storm dynamics and convective initiation, better detection of small-scale phenomena including tornado and microburst, ultimately leading to increased lead time for warnings, and improved weather prediction. Another benefit to the multi-mission capability of this weather radar is to improve it's ability of aircraft detection and tracking, especially since monopulse functionality will become available.

The project is a collaborative effort between university and federal scientists. Assembly and test of the instrument will be accomplished in the OU Atmospheric Radar Research Center (ARRC)'s Radar Innovation Laboratory (RIL) prior to integration into the NWRT. Scientists from the National Severe Storms Lab (NSSL) will take an active role in the integration of this instrument. The full conference paper will discuss this new project at OU in greater detail, which includes: advanced meteorological applications, predicted laboratory findings, initial designs, and future risk mitigation strategies. A timeline for the subsequent work will also be discussed.