Probing of Atmospheric Motion by Airborne Pulse-Doppler Radar Techniques

Abstract

The paper discusses the use of airborne pulse-Doppler techniques for the sensing of particle motion inside convective storms. A downward-looking beam method providing observations of particle vertical velocity distributed in a vertical plane generated by the aircraft's motion is presented in detail. The possible use of a horizontal beam, which is perpendicular to the aircraft's trajectory and senses horizontal motion, is briefly mentioned. Included is a discussion of the application of the method to the probing of vertical air motion in convective storms and the observation of drop-size distributions in widespread rain. The real-time processing and recording of the Doppler signals by an on-line digital computer installed aboard the airplane is also described. The paper discusses the accuracy of the velocity measurements as related to radar system parameters and the aircraft ground speed.