A Multi-frequency Wide-swath Spaceborne Cloud And Precipitation Imaging Radar

Microwave and millimeter-wave radars have proven their effectiveness in cloud and precipitation observations. The NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey (DS) Aerosol, Cloud and Ecosystems (ACE) mission calls for a dual-frequency cloud radar (W band 94 GHz and Ka-band 35 GHz) for global measurements of cloud microphysical properties. Recently, there have been discussions for utilizing a tri-frequency (Ku/Ka/W-band) radar for a combined ACE and GPM follow-on mission that has evolved into Cloud and Precipitation Process Mission (CaPPM) concept. In this presentation, we will give an overview of the technology development efforts at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (NGES) through projects funded by the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) Instrument Incubator Program (IIP). Our primary objective of this research is to advance the key enabling technologies for a tri-frequency (Ku/Ka/W-band) shared-aperture spaceborne cloud and precipitation imaging radar to provide unprecedented, simultaneous multi-frequency measurements that will enhance understanding of the effects of clouds and precipitation and their interaction on Earth climate change. Research effort has been focused on trade study and concept design of the tri-frequency radar; investigating architectures that provide tri-band shared-aperture capability; advancing the development of the Ka band active electronically scanned array (AESA) transmit/receive (T/R) module, and development of the advanced radar backend electronics.