Radar configuration using stationary feed horn, signal generator, and reflector
AssigneeStormquant, Inc.
InventorsKevin Shoemaker, Andrew Bryant, Nick Muhlhauser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide Pulse Doppler Polarimetric radars that are configured in a manner to eliminate traditional components that contribute to the high system cost, the overall weight and the low reliability of the radars. In some embodiments, each radar includes a (1) a beam steering walking splash plate with positioning actuator(s), (2) a feed horn antenna with wave guide assembly, (3) a parabolic reflector, (4) radar electronic components, and (5) radome and mounting bracket(s). The feed horn antenna, parabolic reflector, and wave guide assembly (including a signal generator) are stationary with respect to each other in some embodiments.
Claims27
A radar network comprising
- a plurality of radars in close proximity to one another, wherein each of at least a plurality of pairs of radars are within 100 miles of each other, each radar for scanning a geographic region that at least partially overlaps with a geographic region scanned by at least one other radar;
- and
- a set of servers to collect data collected by the plurality of radars to formulate weather predictions, wherein the formulated weather predictions include at least one prediction for a sub-region for which data was collected and analyzed from at least two radars,
- the set of servers including a set of controller servers that configure each particular radar in at least one set of radars to operate as both (i) a monostatic radar for at least a first sub-region to process only reflections of a radar signal transmitted by the particular radar and (ii) a bistatic radar for at least a second sub-region to process reflections of a radar signal transmitted by at least one neighboring radar, said bistatic and monostatic configurations of the radars in the set of radars allowing signals received by the radars in the set to be processed to produce three-dimensional identification of weather targets in the regions scanned by the radars, said weather targets including at least two of rain, snow, sleet and hail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.