Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Commerce

David A Merritt

Thomas Glaess

Anthony J Francavilla

Lingling Zhang

Kenneth Moran

Sandy L King

David C Welsh

A cloud radar apparatus is mounted on a portable containerized unit, a number of which may be located at various positions throughout the planet. Cloud radar data from each unit are periodically measured and stored and made available to researchers, upon request, through the Internet or other network. The system comprises two computers operating on different operating systems. A first computer uses a first operating system which allows it to readily interface with various radar equipment using an IEEE 488 interface or the like, to monitor the health of the equipment and operate the equipment. A second computer system uses a second operating system in a multi-user mode which allows it to readily access and manipulate data files and transfer data over the network. Communication between the two computers is achieved by allowing the first computer to log into the second computer as one of the multiple users. The first computer may upload data to the second computer using a FTP protocol or the like. A second user in the second computer may generate cloud radar images and apply calibration data to received data to produce calibrated data. A third user may be logged onto the second computer to handle data transfers to and from the network. By using two computers with operating systems selected for optimum performance with their respective tasks, the system of the present invention allows for completely autonomous operation of a remote radar site with automated collection and distribution of cloud radar data.

Method and apparatus for an autonomous cloud radar

This method for Doppler spectral processing more readily identifies the profiler radar return signals from the atmosphere in the presence of contamination, e.g., from bird echoes, ground clutter, and radio frequency interference. Profiler radars measure winds in the atmosphere by using backscatter (i) from refractive index fluctuations in clear air due to turbulence or (ii) from precipitation such as rain or snow. These radars also receive contaminating radar returns from ground clutter (e.g., from vehicles, power lines, and trees) and from fliers (e.g., aircraft, insects, and birds). In general, the radar return signals from the atmosphere have statistical and physical properties different from those properties for the contaminating radar returns. This new method uses these differences to eliminate or reduce contamination in radar Doppler spectra for estimation of atmospheric winds.

Statistical averaging method for wind profiler doppler spectra

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

David A Merritt