2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
[AAS10-17] Bistatic Observation Using Two Phased Array Weather Radars
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Phased array weather radar, Bistatic observation
To detect localized and intense weather phenomena at an early stage, it is effective to track the development process of convective clouds through accurate wind field observations. In radar-based wind field observations, it is known that combining radial Doppler velocity information from multiple radars enables the estimation of wind speed and direction that closely correspond to actual phenomena. Furthermore, the phased array weather radar we use allows high spatiotemporal resolution observations due to its ability to simultaneously scan more than 100 elevation angles. Therefore, multi-Doppler analysis using phased array weather radars is a promising method for the early detection of heavy rainfall and similar phenomena.
However, in the process of combining observational data from individually scanning multiple radars, a time lag exists between the moments each radar observes the same coordinate point. To address this issue, rather than using monostatic observations from separate scans, we employ a bistatic observation approach in which one radar functions as both the transmitter and receiver, while the other operates as a receiver only. Since the reflected waves received by each radar occur simultaneously in bistatic observations, there is no time discrepancy in observing the same target.
Moreover, conventional bistatic observations using parabolic radars suffer from time differences not only between radars but also among different elevation angles. In contrast, bistatic observations with phased array weather radars ensure complete simultaneity in the observations of two radars and uniform observation timing in the vertical direction due to the fan beam. This allows for a high-precision depiction of convective processes associated with cloud formation from upper to lower layers.
In this study, we conducted a bistatic observation experiment using two dual-polarization phased array weather radars (MP-PAWR) installed in Kobe and Suita cities. Unlike conventional bistatic observations, the two radars in our setup were not systemically synchronized. Thus, we extracted significant bistatic echoes under the assumption that the maximum received power echo occurs along the transmitted beam path. Subsequently, we evaluated the received power echoes, and the Doppler velocity corrected for phase shifts caused by the difference in PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency) between the two radars. Our results demonstrate that bistatic observations using phased array weather radars enable simultaneous acquisition of vertical wind field distributions at both the transmitting-receiving and receiving radar.
However, in the process of combining observational data from individually scanning multiple radars, a time lag exists between the moments each radar observes the same coordinate point. To address this issue, rather than using monostatic observations from separate scans, we employ a bistatic observation approach in which one radar functions as both the transmitter and receiver, while the other operates as a receiver only. Since the reflected waves received by each radar occur simultaneously in bistatic observations, there is no time discrepancy in observing the same target.
Moreover, conventional bistatic observations using parabolic radars suffer from time differences not only between radars but also among different elevation angles. In contrast, bistatic observations with phased array weather radars ensure complete simultaneity in the observations of two radars and uniform observation timing in the vertical direction due to the fan beam. This allows for a high-precision depiction of convective processes associated with cloud formation from upper to lower layers.
In this study, we conducted a bistatic observation experiment using two dual-polarization phased array weather radars (MP-PAWR) installed in Kobe and Suita cities. Unlike conventional bistatic observations, the two radars in our setup were not systemically synchronized. Thus, we extracted significant bistatic echoes under the assumption that the maximum received power echo occurs along the transmitted beam path. Subsequently, we evaluated the received power echoes, and the Doppler velocity corrected for phase shifts caused by the difference in PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency) between the two radars. Our results demonstrate that bistatic observations using phased array weather radars enable simultaneous acquisition of vertical wind field distributions at both the transmitting-receiving and receiving radar.