Weather detection design issues for a solid state ASR

Abstract

Design issues surrounding the weather detection capability of a solid state airport surveillance radar (ASR) are discussed. Weather detection and mapping requirements are presented, along with implementation alternatives. Use of a solid state transmitter dictates that a chirp waveform be employed. The effect of compressed pulse range sidelobes on weather detection is therefore explored. Ground clutter suppression as it relates to false weather reporting and weather estimate biases is also discussed. Finally, sensitivity needs are detailed and the weather detection performance of a solid state alternative is compared to that of the ASR-9.