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Journal ArticleDOI

Pulse compression for weather radars

01 Jan 1998-IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (IEEE)-Vol. 36, Iss: 1, pp 125-142
TL;DR: Pulse-compression techniques indeed provide a viable option for faster scanning rates while still retaining good accuracy in the estimates of various parameters that can be measured using a pulsed-Doppler radar, and it is established that with suitable sidelobe suppression filters, the range-time sidelobes can be suppressed to levels that are acceptable for operational and research applications.
Abstract: Wideband waveform techniques, such as pulse compression, allow for accurate weather radar measurements in a short data acquisition time. However, for extended targets such as precipitation systems, range sidelobes mask and corrupt observations of weak phenomena occurring near areas of strong echoes. Therefore, sidelobe suppression is extremely important in precisely determining the echo scattering region. A simulation procedure has been developed to accurately describe the signal returns from distributed weather targets, with pulse compression; waveform coding. This procedure is unique and improves on earlier work by taking into account the effect of target reshuffling during the pulse propagation time which is especially important for long duration pulses. The simulation procedure is capable of generating time series from various input range profiles of reflectivity, mean velocity, spectrum width, and SNR. Results from the simulation are used to evaluate the performance of phase coded pulse compression in conjunction with matched and inverse compression filters. The evaluation is based on comparative analysis of the integrated sidelobe level and Doppler sensitivity after the compression process. Pulse compression data from the CSU-CHILL radar is analyzed. The results from simulation and the data analysis show that pulse-compression techniques indeed provide a viable option for faster scanning rates while still retaining good accuracy in the estimates of various parameters that can be measured using a pulsed-Doppler radar. Also, it is established that with suitable sidelobe suppression filters, the range-time sidelobes can be suppressed to levels that are acceptable for operational and research applications.
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the agile-beam multimission phased array radar (MPAR) discussed in this paper is one potential candidate that can provide faster scanning and offers a unique potential for multipurpose use to not only sample weather, but support air traffic needs and track noncooperative airplanes.
Abstract: Weather radars with conventional antenna cannot provide desired volume scan updates at intervals of one minute or less, which is essential for significant improvement in warning lead time of impending storm hazards. The agile-beam multimission phased array radar (MPAR) discussed herein is one potential candidate that can provide faster scanning. It also offers a unique potential for multipurpose use to not only sample weather, but support air traffic needs and track noncooperative airplanes, thus making it an affordable option. After introducing the basic idea behind electronic beam steering, the needs for frequent observations of convective weather are explained. Then, advantages of the phased array radar (PAR) for weather monitoring and improving data quality are examined. To explore and develop weather-related applications of the PAR, a National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) has been established in Norman, Oklahoma. The NWRT's main purpose is to address the advanced capabilities anticipated within the n...

263 citations


Cites background from "Pulse compression for weather radar..."

  • ...Thus, upgrades in the processing area would be the addition of a second channel and a pulse compression (Mudukutore et al. 1998, Bucci et al. 1997) scheme....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Initial tests performed with the AIR demonstrate the benefits and versatility of utilizing beamforming techniques to achieve high spatial update rates significantly exceeding those of existing mobile radars, including phased arrays.
Abstract: Mobile weather radars often utilize rapid-scan strategies when collecting observations of severe weather. Various techniques have been used to improve volume update times, including the use of agile and multibeam radars. Imaging radars, similar in some respects to phased arrays, steer the radar beam in software, thus requiring no physical motion. In contrast to phased arrays, imaging radars gather data for an entire volume simultaneously within the field of view (FOV) of the radar, which is defined by a broad transmit beam. As a result, imaging radars provide update rates significantly exceeding those of existing mobile radars, including phased arrays. The Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) is engaged in the design, construction, and testing of a mobile imaging weather radar system called the atmospheric imaging radar (AIR). Initial tests performed with the AIR demonstrate the benefits and versatility of utilizing beamforming techniques to achieve high spatial...

86 citations


Cites background from "Pulse compression for weather radar..."

  • ...Pulse compression techniques are well documented, specifically for weather radar applications (Mudukutore et al. 1998; Bharadwaj and Chandrasekar 2012)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An iterative optimization procedure to optimize under both a similarity and an energy constraint on the transmit signal, underlining the performance improvement given by a full-polarimetric design.
Abstract: We focus on the robust joint design of the transmit waveform and filtering structure for polarimetric radar. Considering the worst case signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) at the output as the figure of merit to optimize under both a similarity and an energy constraint on the transmit signal, we develop an iterative optimization procedure. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through experimental results, underlining the performance improvement given by a full-polarimetric design.

79 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for estimation of spectral moments on pulsed weather radars is presented, which operates on oversampled echoes in range, that is, samples of in-phase and quadrature-phase components are collected at a rate several times larger than the reciprocal of the transmitted pulse length.
Abstract: A method for estimation of spectral moments on pulsed weather radars is presented. This scheme operates on oversampled echoes in range; that is, samples of in-phase and quadrature-phase components are collected at a rate several times larger than the reciprocal of the transmitted pulse length. The spectral moments are estimated by suitably combining weighted averages of these oversampled signals in range with usual processing of samples (spaced at the pulse repetition time) at a fixed range location. The weights in range are derived from a whitening transformation; hence, the oversampled signals become uncorrelated and, consequently, the variance of the estimates decreases significantly. Because the estimate errors are inversely proportional to the volume scanning times, it follows that storms can be surveyed much faster than is possible with current processing methods, or equivalently, for the current volume scanning time, accuracy of the estimates can be greatly improved. This significant improvement is achievable at large signal-to-noise ratios.

51 citations


Cites background from "Pulse compression for weather radar..."

  • ...Pulse compression can be applied to increase the equivalent number of independent samples by averaging high-resolution estimates in range (Mudukutore et al. 1998)....

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  • ...q 2003 American Meteorological Society 1433...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, frequency diversity in a wideband waveform design is proposed to mitigate the range-eclipsing problem associated with long pulse compression and an analysis of the performance of pulse compression using mismatched compression filters designed to minimize sidelobe levels is presented.
Abstract: The use of solid-state transmitters is becoming increasingly viable for atmospheric radars and is a key part of the strategy to realize any dense network of low-powered radars. However, solid-state transmitters have low peak powers and this necessitates the use of pulse compression waveforms. In this paper frequency diversity in a wideband waveform design is proposed to mitigate the low sensitivity of solid-state transmitters. In addition, the waveforms mitigate the range-eclipsing problem associated with long pulse compression. An analysis of the performance of pulse compression using mismatched compression filters designed to minimize sidelobe levels is presented. The impact of the range sidelobe level on the retrieval of Doppler moments is discussed. Realistic simulations are performed based on both the Colorado State University‐University of Chicago‐Illinois State Water Survey (CSU‐CHILL) and the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) Integrated Project I (IP1) radar data.

50 citations


Cites background or methods from "Pulse compression for weather radar..."

  • ...Typically weather radar targets are extended volume scatterers and range sidelobes are a major source of error for quantitative applications (Mudukutore et al. 1998)....

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  • ...The simulations of weather echoes are based on the methodology presented by Chandrasekar et al. (1986), and this methodology is used to simulate the received signal from the pulse compression waveform as described by Mudukutore et al. (1998)....

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  • ...Ackroyd and Ghani (1973) proposed an inverse filter based on Wiener– Hopf equations, and Mudukutore et al. (1998) evaluated the applicability of inverse filter using Barker codes for weather radars....

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  • ...Typically weather radar targets are extended volume scatterers and range sidelobes are a major source of error for quantitative applications (Mudukutore et al. 1998)....

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  • ...The sidelobe level is often described in terms of peak sidelobe level (PSL) and integrated sidelobe level (ISL; Mudukutore et al. 1998)....

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References
More filters
Book
01 Jan 1962
TL;DR: This chapter discusses Radar Equation, MTI and Pulse Doppler Radar, and Information from Radar Signals, as well as Radar Antenna, Radar Transmitters and Radar Receiver.
Abstract: 1 An Introduction to Radar 2 The Radar Equation 3 MTI and Pulse Doppler Radar 4 Tracking Radar 5 Detection of Signals in Noise 6 Information from Radar Signals 7 Radar Clutter 8 Propogation of Radar Waves 9 The Radar Antenna 10 Radar Transmitters 11 Radar Receiver

6,010 citations


"Pulse compression for weather radar..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Therefore, their probability density functions are given by (8) (9) where is the variance of the and samples (also the mean square value becauseand are zero-mean)....

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Book
01 Jan 1971
TL;DR: This article reviewed the principles of Doppler radar and emphasized the quantitative measurement of meteorological parameters, and illustrated the relation of radar data and images to atmospheric phenomena such as tornadoes, microbursts, waves, turbulence, density currents, hurricanes, and lightning.
Abstract: This book reviews the principles of Doppler radar and emphasizes the quantitative measurement of meteorological parameters. It illustrates the relation of Doppler radar data and images to atmospheric phenomena such as tornadoes, microbursts, waves, turbulence, density currents, hurricanes, and lightning. Geared toward upper-level undergraduates and graduate students, this text was written by two scientists at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Topics include electromagnetic waves and propagation, weather signals and their Doppler spectra, weather signal processing, measurements of precipitation and turbulence, and observations of winds and storms as well as fair weather. Radar images and photographs of weather phenomena highlight the text.

2,178 citations


"Pulse compression for weather radar..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Note that this corresponds to twice the Nyquist velocity ( m/s) for a coherent S-band radar system operating at apulse repetition time of 1 ms. Due to symmetry about the zero Doppler velocity axis (vel = 0), the ambiguity function over the Doppler velocity interval [0,50] m/s would be identical....

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Book
01 Jan 1969
TL;DR: In this paper, a re-lease of the classic 1969 text examines step-by-step the development of radar resolution theory, including the capabilities and limits of radar and the details of radar design.
Abstract: This re-lease of the classic 1969 text examines step-by-step the development of radar resolution theory. Key topics include the capabilities and limits of radar and the details of radar design.

787 citations


"Pulse compression for weather radar..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Several techniques have been proposed and studied since the early 1950’s and are reviewed in a number of textbooks [1], [2]....

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Book
01 Jan 1967
TL;DR: The basic elements of matched filtering and pulse compression optimum pre-detection processing matched-filter waveform considerations the measurement accuracies of matched filter radar signals the design of dispersive delay functions ultrasonic delay lines microwave and optical matched filter techniques as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Basic elements of matched filtering and pulse compression optimum pre-detection processing matched-filter waveform considerations the measurement accuracies of matched-filter radar signals the design of dispersive delay functions ultrasonic delay lines microwave and optical matched-filter techniques.

621 citations


"Pulse compression for weather radar..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Several techniques have been proposed and studied since the early 1950’s and are reviewed in a number of textbooks [1], [2]....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the application of least-mean-squares approximate inverse filtering techniques to radar range sidelobe reduction is discussed, and a filter which completely suppresses the range sidelobes of a 13-element Barker sequence is only 0.2 dB worse than a matched filter in noise.
Abstract: This paper discusses the application of least-mean-squares approximate inverse filtering techniques to radar range sidelobe reduction. The method is illustrated by application to the 13-element Barker code. The performance of the least-mean-square inverse filter is compared with the matched filter and with the simplified sidelobereducing filters of Rihaczek and Golden. A filter which completely suppresses the range sidelobes of a 13-element Barker sequence is only 0.2 dB worse than a matched filter in noise.

296 citations