Spaceborne Doppler precipitation radar: system configurations and performance analysis

Simone Tanelli; Eastwood Im

doi:10.1117/12.579021

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22 December 2004 Spaceborne Doppler precipitation radar: system configurations and performance analysis

Simone Tanelli, Eastwood Im

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Proceedings Volume 5654, Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment IV; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.579021
Event: Fourth International Asia-Pacific Environmental Remote Sensing Symposium 2004: Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Ocean, Environment, and Space, 2004, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

Knowledge of the global distribution of the vertical velocity of precipitation is important in the study of energy transportation in the atmosphere, the climate and weather. Such knowledge can only be directly acquired with the use of spaceborne Doppler precipitation radars (DPR). Although the high relative speed of the radar with respect to the rainfall particles introduces significant broadening in the Doppler spectrum, recent studies have shown that the average vertical velocity can be measured to acceptable accuracy levels by appropriate selection of radar parameters. Furthermore, methods to correct for specific errors arising from non-uniform beam filling (NUBF) effects and pointing uncertainties have recently been developed. In this paper we will present the results of the trade studies on the performances of a spaceborne Doppler radar with different system parameters configurations. Particular emphases will be placed on the choices of: 1) the PRF vs. antenna size ratio, 2) the observational strategy, 3) the operating frequency; and 4) processing strategy. The results show that accuracies of 1 m/s or better can be achieved with the currently available technology.

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Simone Tanelli and Eastwood Im "Spaceborne Doppler precipitation radar: system configurations and performance analysis", Proc. SPIE 5654, Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment IV, (22 December 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.579021

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