Recently the data acquisition system was completely refurbished allowing the use of modern PC architecture, data acquisition boards, and communications. The previous data system was comprised of a HP-1000 real-time computer, a 9-track tape system, several large external 20 MB disk drives, a custom built timing board, an Analogic 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an Analogic parallel-processing array processor, and code written in FORTRAN and assembly language. The new data system utilizes an industrial PC, a commercially available graphical programming language, and one internal 16-bit ADC.
In this paper the new data system will be described and new data presented. The FM-CW radar is quite sensitive and due to its high spatial and temporal resolution allows researchers to identify and measure thin turbulence layers, hydrometeor backscatter, the melting layer, and point targets such as insects and birds. With the new data system, the FM-CW should have many years of use with both the U.S. Army and other researchers in the atmospheric community.
Supplementary URL: