US 2004/0056791 A1 · Simultaneous dual polarization radar system

Abstract

A simultaneous dual polarization radar system is disclosed that utilizes a RF power divider to replace the high speed dual polarization switches utilized in current dual polarization radar systems. The disclosed systems allow for transmission and reception in both horizontal and vertical signal modes simultaneously while repositioning critical receiver components above the elevation rotary coupler in a radar pedestal. A bypass switch is also utilized to allow for mode switching of a radar system and a dual polarization reception design is shown to allow for the economical capturing of linear depolarization ratios of selected atmospheric areas. These new designs eliminate the current problems experienced in current dual polarization radar system of long dwell times and velocity range reductions, and the elimination of the relatively expensive and unreliable polarization switch.

Claims70

Dependent claims

A weather radar system, comprising:

a. an energy pulse train generator for producing radio emissions adapted for weather radar use;
b. a radio frequency power divider in electrical communication with said pulse train generator for splitting said radio emissions into simultaneous dual emission components;
c. an antenna in electrical communication with said power divider for transmitting said simultaneous dual emission components into space in a controlled manner and for collecting reflected signals from objects of interest;
d. an orthomode feed horn positioned on said antenna for altering one of said emission components to have a different phase relative to said other emission component during transmission and for collecting reflectivity signals of disparate phase relative to one another;
e. a receiver subsystem in electrical communication with said antenna for processing reflectivity signals collected by said antenna, wherein said receiver subsystem is co-located with said power divider to reduce phase error introductions;
and,
f. a pair of channel circulators in electrical communication with said antenna, said power divider, and said receiver subsystem for isolating said dual emission components from said receiver subsystem.

4 more elements

A weather radar system, comprising:

a. an energy pulse train generator for producing radio emissions adapted for weather radar use;
b. a radio frequency power divider for splitting said radio emissions into simultaneous dual emission components;
c. an antenna for transmitting said simultaneous dual emission components into space in a controlled manner and for collecting reflected signals from objects of interest;
d. an orthomode feed horn adjacent to said antenna for altering one of said emission components to have a different phase relative to said other emission component during transmission and for collecting reflectivity signals of disparate phase relative to one another;
e. a receiver subsystem for processing reflectivity signals collected by said antenna, wherein said receiver subsystem is co-located with said power divider to reduce phase error introductions;
f. a pair of channel circulators for isolating said dual emission components from said receiver subsystem;
and,
g. a bypass switch having a first switch element positioned between said radio frequency power divider and said energy pulse train generator and a second switch element positioned between said radio frequency power divider and one of said channel circulators.

5 more elements

A weather radar system, comprising:

a. an energy pulse train generator for producing radio emissions adapted for weather radar use;
b. a radar transceiver in electrical communication with said pulse train generator, comprising:
i. a radio frequency power divider for splitting said radio emissions into simultaneous dual emission components;
ii. an antenna for transmitting said simultaneous dual emission components into space in a controlled manner and for collecting reflected signals from objects of interest;
iii. an orthomode feed horn adjacent to said antenna for altering one of said emission components to have a different phase relative to said other emission component during transmission and for collecting reflectivity signals of disparate phase relative to one another;
iv. an azimuth rotary coupling to allow rotation of said antenna;
v. an elevation rotary coupling positioned proximal to said azimuth rotary coupling to allow declination and elevation of said antenna;
vi. a receiver subsystem positioned above said elevation and azimuth couplings for processing reflectivity signals collected by said antenna;
and,
vii. a pair of channel circulators for isolating said dual emission components from said receiver subsystem;
and,
c. a pedestal for supporting said transceiver.

9 more elements

A weather radar system, comprising:

a. means for generating radio emissions adapted for weather radar use;
b. a radar transceiver in electrical communication with said pulse train generator, comprising:
i. means in electrical communication with said generating means for dividing said radio emissions into simultaneous dual emission components;
ii. an antenna for transmitting said simultaneous dual emission components into space in a controlled manner and for collecting reflected signals from objects of interest;
iii. means positioned on said antenna for altering one of said emission components to have a different phase relative to said other emission component during transmission and for collecting reflectivity signals of disparate phase relative to one another;
iv. means to allow rotation of said antenna;
v. means to allow raising and lowering of the elevation angle of said antenna;
vi. means in electrical communication with said antenna for receiving reflectivity signals collected by said antenna, wherein said processing means is co-located with said radio emissions dividing means to reduce phase error introductions;
and,
vii. first and second means in electrical communication with said antenna, said dividing means, and said receiving means for isolating said dual emission components from said receiving means;
and,
c. means for providing a pedestal support for said transceiver.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Simultaneous dual polarization radar system

Life of this patent

Simultaneous dual polarization radar system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims70