A Novel Low-Cost Dual-Wavelength Precipitation Radar Sensor Network

Remote Sensing Solutions, Inc. (RSS) has developed a novel, practical design that will produce a low-cost precipitation radar / radiometer sensor. Operating in a stand-alone mode or in a network configuration, this system will provide the measurements critical to the NASA Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) calibration / validation efforts. With its unique ability to acquire simultaneous dual polarized, dual wavelength, active and passive measurements, this instrument will be capable of providing NASA and the research community with unique data that will significantly further research in the areas of precipitation rate and particle size retrievals. By utilizing solid-state technology and an innovative pulse compression scheme, the sensor can be built at a fraction of the cost of conventional precipitation radar while still maintaining the required sensitivity. The proposed Phase II effort will focus on developing and demonstrating the performance of two key innovations: the dual polarized, dual wavelength wideband antenna feed and transceiver.