CAREER: Three-Dimensional Measurements of Atmospheric Water Vapor Using Miniaturized Microwave Radiometers

这一职业计划的智力优势是基于创新传感器的设计和实现，以改进对大气中水蒸气三维分布的测量。了解水汽的时空分布是短期预报降水和恶劣天气的基础。目前在风暴前环境中对风、温度和湿度的观测不足，限制了对这些事件预报技能的提高。该项目将通过制造、验证和应用小型水蒸气剖面辐射计的四个传感器示范网络来满足这些需求。这种新颖的传感器设计是由无线通信行业广泛使用的微波单片集成电路(MMIC)技术实现的。与传统的基于波导的设计相比，MMIC技术使这些传感器更小、更轻、更坚固。新的传感器技术将使更大的水蒸气辐射计网络能够进行更高分辨率的观测。示范网络将用于验证使用辐射计和SuomiNet全球定位系统接收器的远程水汽测量，方法是与包括国家气象局发射的无线电探空仪在内的现场观测进行比较。该网络传感器的自动指向将使GPS倾斜水蒸气与沿相同倾斜路径的辐射剖面直接进行比较。该项目的教育部分将向大量本科生介绍大气科学的应用。将引入新颖的教学方法，鼓励学生发现课程内容与现实世界应用程序之间的关系，并参与点对点学习。有前途的本科生将在实验室参与远程传感器的设计和制造。该计划的更广泛影响包括在更大的网络中部署微型大气传感器的可用性，加强对大气状态的观测，以改进天气预报和气候监测，显然为社会提供了好处。该研究项目将促进大学、行业和政府之间的合作。该计划的研究目标自然会导致与生产用于研究的辐射计的美国小企业合作。其他更广泛的影响包括，作为NSF赞助的暑期项目的一部分，PI继续指导来自代表性不足群体的学生。

The intellectual merit of this CAREER program is based on the design and realization of innovative sensors to improve measurement of the three-dimensional distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere. Knowledge of the temporal and spatial distribution of water vapor is fundamental for short-range prediction of precipitation and severe weather. The paucity of current observations of wind, temperature and humidity in pre-storm environments limits the improvement of forecast skill for these events. This project will address these needs through the fabrication, validation and application of a four-sensor demonstration network of miniaturized water vapor profiling radiometers. This novel sensor design is enabled by microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology made widely available by the wireless communications industry. Compared to conventional waveguide-based designs, MMIC technology allows these sensors to be smaller, lighter and more robust. New sensor technologies will enable larger networks of water vapor radiometers to perform higher-resolution observations. The demonstration network will be used to validate remote water vapor measurements using both radiometers and SuomiNet GPS receivers, through comparison with in-situ observations, including radiosondes launched by the National Weather Service. The automated pointing of the network's sensors will enable direct comparison of GPS slant water vapor with radiometric profiles along the same slant paths.The educational portion of this project will introduce applications in atmospheric science to significant numbers of undergraduate electrical engineering students. Novel methods of instruction will be introduced to encourage students to find the relationships between curriculum content and "real-world" applications and to participate in peer-to-peer learning. Promising undergraduate students will be involved in design and fabrication of remote sensors in the laboratory.The broader impacts of the program include the availability of miniaturized atmospheric sensors to be deployed in larger networks, enhancing observation of the atmospheric state in order to improve weather prediction and climate monitoring, clearly providing benefits to society. The research program will foster collaborations among universities, industry and government. The research goals of this program lead naturally to collaboration with small U.S. businesses that produce radiometers for research. Other broader impacts include the PI's continuing mentoring of students from underrepresented groups as part of an NSF-sponsored summer program.