Dual Frequency Scanning Cloud Radar (SACR)

Dual Frequency Scanning Cloud Radar

ProSensing  recently developed a series of dual-frequency scanning microwave and millimeter-wave radars for remote sensing of clouds. In 2011, ProSensing delivered six of these systems to the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program at sites around the world. Two types of systems were built: X/Ka-band and Ka/W-band. The Scanning ARM Cloud Radar (SACR) employs dual polarization antennas, high power amplifiers, and digital pulse compression waveforms with compression ratios in excess of 50:1. The entire system is deployed on the roof of a customized 20-ft sea container.  Two additional Ka/W-band SACR systems were installed at DOE sites in Alaska and Graciosa Island, Azores in 2014.

Contact [email protected] for more information on SACR

SACR Features
  • Heavy duty elevation-over-azimuth positioner
  • liquid cooled RF enclosures
  • High performance data system with 16-bit digital receiver
  • User-configurable scanning and data processing through custom scripting language
  • Frequency hopping transmitter to avoid second trip echo contamination
  • High accuracy noise subtraction corrected for sky noise temperature variability
X-SACR specifications
  • 600W-1700 W SSPA or 20 kW TWTA available
  • 1.82 m diameter prime focus dual polarization antenna
  • Simultaneous Transmission and Receive (STAR) mode operation
  • Data Products: dBZ, ZDR, co-polarized correlation coefficient, differential phase
Ka-SACR specifications
  • 2.2 kW peak, 80 W average power using klystron amplifier
  • 100 W peak, 25 W average power using SSPA
  • 1.82 m diameter dual polarization Cassegrain antenna
  • polarization agile transmitter (V/H polarization basis)
  • Dual polarization receiver
  • Data products include dBZ, LDR, ZDR, co-polarized and cross-polarized correlation coefficient, differential phase
  • Doppler spectra: co-polarized, cross-polarized, and V/H cross-spectra
W-SACR specifications
  • 1.8 kW peak 15W average power using klystron amplifier
  • contact ProSensing for solid-state transmitter options
  • 1.2 m diameter dual polarization Cassegrain antenna (optional: beamwidth matched to Ka-band antenna)
  • polarization agile transmitter (V/H polarization basis)
  • Dual polarization receiver
  • Data products include dBZ, LDR, ZDR, co-polarized and cross-polarized correlation coefficient, differential phase
  • Doppler spectra: co-polarized, cross-polarized, and V/H cross-spectra
System Webpage

The system web page is used to control and monitor system activity and to view quick-look data

SACR2_control_panel

control panel for Ka-band and W-band RF units

SACR2_imagesets

example quick-look data for RHI scan of cloud deck showing Ka-band and W-band plots

Installing Ka/W-band SACR on Graciosa Island, Azores

Ka/W-band SACR at Oliktok Point, Alaska