SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I STTR proposal describes our plan to develop advanced algorithms and techniques for a weather surveillance mode for rapid scanning phased array radar system. Our company recently developed an add-on weather radar processor for the military tactical radar and demonstrated the ability of the radar to generate rapidly updated images of reflectivity and velocity in precipitation to ranges in excess of 30 km. During Phase I, we plan to develop volumetric sampling algorithms to make optimal use of the electronic scanning capability of the radar. Using previously collected raw data, we will test various clutter rejection filters off-line, and determine suitable filters for implementation in the real time processor in Phase II. We also plan to design and field test a radar calibration procedure required to produce properly calibrated reflectivity measurements. Software modifications are also planned to archive processed data in the widely accepted NetCDF format.

Keywords:
Meteorological Phased Array Radar, Mwr-05xp, Sentinel, Rapid Scanning

This Phase II STTR proposal describes our plan to develop advanced weather surveillance algorithms and calibration techniques for a rapid scanning phased array radar system. During Phase II, we plan to upgrade an exiting rapid scanning weather radar, the MWR-05XP, operated by the Naval Postgraduate School. Several features will be added, including a DC stepper motor for variable rate azimuthal scanning of the radar antenna, multi-antenna GPS for automatic platform alignment, and a satellite braodband Internet link. We also plan to implement a real-time clutter rejection algorithm suitable for the non-uniform sample spacing associated with the MWR-05XP's rapid scanning antenna. We will also test two separate calibration procedures designed during phase I, intended to provide absolute calibration and to characterize the antenna pattern as a function of electronic scan angle. Software modifications are also planned to archive processed data in widely accepted NetCDF format. Field experiments to study severe storms and hurricanes at landfall, and upgrading an additional rapid scanning radar owned by NPS are planned for the Phase II option.

Benefit:
Successful development of advanced weather surveillance algorithms and software for rapid scanning tactical radars will lead to the addition of weather surveillance modes to existing tactical radars systems, such as the Sentinel.

Keywords:
sentinel, meteorological phased array radar, MWR-05XP, rapid scanning