SQ-DPX Dual Polarimetric Doppler Radar System Measure, Analyze & Predict Operating Manual Model SQ-100
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Table of Contents General Safety Considerations Introduction Outline of System StormQuant Radar Design Installation Quick Start Software
General Safety Considerations Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Introduction For over 30 years, the existing US radar network has been successfully deployed as the primary source of data for weather aggregators and meteorologists. However, there are some drawbacks such as environmental impact, excessive maintenance costs, data latency, and lower altitude limitations. Inaccurate forecasting and the frequency and intensity of catastrophic weather-related events are driving the need for a new, innovative approach to radar.
Outline of System This system observes the development of rain clouds, outputs the strength of precipitation, the speed of rain clouds (Doppler speed), and observes phenomena of rainfall.
StormQuant Radar Design The StormQuant radar system is a pulse radar that works in the X-Band frequency between 9300 and 9500 MHz with a transmitter output of 100 watts. The antenna is an inverted periscope design with 32 dBi gain and is capable of elevation and azimuth movement. The system is dual polarimetric and is intended to map meteorological phenomenon within 35 Km. It is connected via ethernet and Internet to a server that is used for meteorological product generation.
Figure 3 StormQuant Radar Major Components and Connections Radome: The covering over the radar, or radome, is composed of a uv resistant, tough plastic polymer that will protect the radar for many years. The purpose is to allow radar waves to exit and return to the antenna as well as protect all of the internal electronics from the weather.
a splash plate. The splash plate moves to place the antenna beam anywhere in 360 degrees of azimuth and 0 to 45 degrees of elevation. This configuration allows for much quicker beam positioning as well as much higher reliability as compared to conventional altitude/azimuth mounts. In addition, the efficiency of this type of configuration is higher than conventional systems, leading to better sensitivity of weather phenomena.
Two 16-bit ADC run at 25 MSPS and feed a FPGA in two streams. These streams represent two orthogonal polarizations that are used to generate all of the downstream products. Initial computations are accomplished in the gate array and processor and then packaged for transmission to the host computer. Calibration, data reduction, initial product generation and encryption is accomplished in each radar.
Figure 4 Major Electrical Components
Installation STORMQUANT SITE SURVEY CHECKLIST The following items are considered by StormQuant representative during the conduct of a site survey. 1. Locate the radar. Best radar location if multiple candidate sites are available Latitude ___ Longitude ___ Point of Reference if Lat/Long not available __________________ a. Choose highest site possible. Altitude _____ b.
e. f. g. h. • Any special equipment required for installation (crane, lifts, etc.): ___________________________________________ • Required Building permits/codes: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Place on tall tower. • Determine tower height to clear obstruction _____. • Place far away from trees, building and other obstructions. • Determine if ground foundation is suitable • Place guy wires for stability if required.
e. Security requirement for radar accessibility through host network: ______________________________________________________ 4. Determine radiation hazard zone in accordance with FCC OET Bulletin 65. a. The total number of emitters b. The specific RF Exposure Limits for the Radar (check Equipment authorization file for copy of RF exposure calculation.
Installation Quick Start After radar is placed on a suitable tower do the following: 1) Connect AC power 2) Connect Ethernet 3) Turn on power switch. Wait a few minutes for computers to boot and initiate communications. 4) Connect to the radar a) If connected directly via monitor/keyboard to the radar expect to login directly login: sq password: ******* b) If connecting to the radar remotely (across an ethernet connection using a laptop) in a terminal.
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Software and File Structure Software and Firmware are written in advanced languages and include error detection and mitigation. In general, there are 3 general modules of software: Motion Control Data Acquisition Operational Control Motion Control This module allows for the operation of the antenna position and scanning capabilities.
Data Acquisition The data acquisition system controls not only the reception of radar data from the receiver but also the generation of pulses to the transmitter. Transmitter control is preset to the following: Pulse width – 4 uSec Pulse repetition frequency – 1000 Hz There is a preset number of conversions accomplished by the ADC system within this module. Each of two channels pulls in 16-bit conversions and passes them to the FPGA for processing.
