Multi-frequency dual-polarized platform for validation of satellite precipitation measurements
Date
2017
Authors
Vega, Manuel A., author
Chandrasekar, V., advisor
Jayasumana, Anura, committee member
Cheney, Margaret, committee member
Mielke, Paul, committee member
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Abstract
Satellite missions such as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission have demonstrated the value of rainfall measurements at a global scale. Both missions use a multi-frequency, active/passive (i.e. radar/radiometer) suite of instruments to achieve their measurement goals. Calibration and validation of these instruments has a vital role in the success of the mission since quantitative characterization of precipitation is the primary goal. Furthermore, these missions have also extended the understanding of the synergy between radar/radiometer observations within the atmospheric science community. From a ground validation (GV) perspective, active/passive observations are typically achieved with co-located, but independent instruments. In some cases, this has introduced radio frequency interference (RFI) between adjacent active/passive frequencies of operation, asynchronous scanning strategies and unmatched observation volumes. The work presented focuses on the following topics: 1) engineering aspects in the design of an active/passive remote sensing platform, 2) the design of a solid-state, dual-polarized, multi-frequency, Doppler radar system and performance characterization and 3) calibration approach for a ground based, multi-frequency, radar/radiometer system and first calibrated observations in this mode of operation.
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Subject
dual-polarized
radar
multi-frequency
Doppler