Analysis and Interpretation of Dual-Polarized Radar Measurements at +45° and −45° Linear Polarization States

Abstract

Equations are derived for transforming radar data obtained with ±45° linear polarization states to conventional radar parameters measured at horizontal and vertical polarization states. The derivation is based on the covariance matrix and assumes a diagonal propagation matrix and a reciprocal scattering matrix with nonzero cross-polar terms. Time series data gathered during the summers of 1990 and 1992 with the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) C-band polarimetric radar, POLDIRAD, located in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, are used to validate the polarization transformation method. Data collected in two convective precipitation shafts are analyzed and the resulting signatures are microphysically interpreted. The analysis and the presented data validate the polarization transformation method derived here under the assumption of a diagonal propagation matrix.