Robust Attenuation Correction System for Radar Reflectivity and Differential Reflectivity
First Claim
1. A weather radar system comprising:
- a transmitter configured to transmit a weather radar signal into a region of interest;
a receiver configured to receive echoes scattered from the region of interest, anda computer system coupled at least with the receiver, wherein the computer system is configured tocalculate a plurality of attenuation pairs from the received echoes, wherein each attenuation pair comprises a cumulative attenuation and a differential attenuation from the received echoes;
solve a cost function for each of the attenuation pairs, wherein the cost function returns a cost function value for each attenuation pair; and
determine the attenuation pair associated with the minimum cost function value.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward attenuation correction of radar data. Atmospheric attenuation is a function of atmospheric water drop size and temperature. A number of different theoretical models are available to mathematically describe the particle drop shape that influences attenuation estimation. Each of these models has proven effective in different scenarios. It can be difficult, however, to predict which theoretical model to use. The total differential phase gives an idea of the attenuation, but it depends on the model. Moreover, the total attenuation along a rain path must be apportioned to different parts of the radar path in order to correct for attenuation along a radar path. Embodiments of this invention allows for a system to apportion the attenuation to different parts of the radar beam. Embodiments of the invention also allow for optimization of a number of different theoretical models for both drop size and temperature.
12 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A weather radar system comprising:
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a transmitter configured to transmit a weather radar signal into a region of interest; a receiver configured to receive echoes scattered from the region of interest, and a computer system coupled at least with the receiver, wherein the computer system is configured to calculate a plurality of attenuation pairs from the received echoes, wherein each attenuation pair comprises a cumulative attenuation and a differential attenuation from the received echoes; solve a cost function for each of the attenuation pairs, wherein the cost function returns a cost function value for each attenuation pair; and determine the attenuation pair associated with the minimum cost function value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for determining attenuation in a radar signal, the method comprising:
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transmitting a radar signal into the atmosphere from a weather radar system; receiving echoes from the atmosphere in response to the radar signal at the weather radar system; calculating a plurality of attenuation pairs from the received echoes, wherein each attenuation pair comprises a cumulative attenuation and a differential attenuation from the received echoes; solving a cost function for each of the attenuation pairs, wherein the cost function returns a cost function value for each attenuation pair; and determining the attenuation pair associated with the minimum cost function value. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for processing radar data, the method comprising:
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transmitting a radar signal into the atmosphere from a weather radar system; receiving echoes from the atmosphere in response to the radar signal at the weather radar system; reconstructing a reflectivity factor from the received echoes; and determining a differential reflectivity from the received echoes that is proportional to the reflectivity at the two polarizations. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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transmitting a weather radar signal into the atmosphere from a weather radar system; receiving echoes from the atmosphere in response to the radar signal at the weather radar system; and determining an attenuation of the radar signal, wherein the attenuation is independent of radar system bias.
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18. A method comprising:
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transmitting a weather radar signal into the atmosphere from a weather radar system; receiving echoes from the atmosphere in response to the radar signal at the weather radar system; calculating a plurality of attenuation pairs from the received echoes, wherein each attenuation pair comprises a cumulative attenuation and a differential attenuation from the received echoes; solving a cost function for each of the attenuation pairs, wherein the cost function returns a cost function value for each attenuation pair; and determining the attenuation pair associated with the minimum cost function value.
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Specification