Range and velocity ambiguity mitigation on the WSR-88D: Performance of the staggered PRT algorithm

In the WSR-88D, the range and Doppler velocity ambiguity problems are coupled such that trying to alleviate one of them worsens the other. Accordingly, special techniques are necessary to resolve both ambiguities to the levels required for the efficient observation of severe weather. The Radar Operations Center of the National Weather Service has sponsored the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to develop methods for mitigating the effects of velocity and range ambiguities on the WSR-88D. NSSL has recently recommended an algorithm for the second stage of deployment of range and velocity ambiguity mitigation techniques on the Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) subsystem. The algorithm is based on alternating pulse repetition times (PRT) and can replace the Batch cuts at intermediate elevation angles of the antenna beam. This paper shows the performance of the staggered PRT algorithm on weather data collected with NSSL's KOUN radar in Norman, OK. Comparisons with existing “legacy” algorithms demonstrate the ability of the staggered PRT algorithm to effectively mitigate range and velocity ambiguities in future enhancements of the NEXRAD radar network.