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System design and development of Front-X: an X-band dual-polarization phased array weather radar

Date

2019

Authors

Morin, Alexander, author
Chandrasekar, V., advisor
Cheney, Margaret, committee member
Chiu, Christine, committee member

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Abstract

The electronic beam steering capability of phased array weather radars has the potential to improve the temporal resolution of meteorological data and enable the development of multifunction radars, yet questions about their dual-polarimetric performance remain an ongoing topic of research. This thesis presents the system design and development of Front-X, an X-band dual-polarization phased array weather radar capable of both electronic and mechanical beam steering, whose purpose is to serve as a test-bed for implementing adaptive scan strategies, developing phased array radar calibration techniques, and exploring the efficacy of electronic scanning for weather applications. The design, development, calibration, and configuration of a system controller, antenna positioner, and signal processor are discussed. Furthermore, the system is demonstrated through a comparison of polarimetric electronic and mechanical scan weather data, including various electronic scan correction methods, and visually verified through a comparison to data collected with the proven CHILL X-band radar.

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Subject

mechanical beam steering
system control
electronic beam steering
weather radar
phased array

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