EAGER: A Technology Demonstrator for a mmWave Rapid Scan Image Phased Array Radar for Cloud Research

EAGER：用于云研究的毫米波快速扫描图像相控阵雷达的技术演示器

• 批准号: 2329456
• 负责人: Jorge Salazar Cerreno
• 金额: $ 17.5万
• 依托单位: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-07-01 至 2024-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2329456&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Technology; Demonstrator; mmWave; Rapid

Clouds play a crucial role in the Earth’s atmosphere by regulating the radiative balance, influencing precipitation patterns and intensity, and generating vertical air movements that redistribute heat, moisture, and momentum. Some aspects of cloud processes remain poorly understood, partly because the scientific community has lacked high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of clouds. Phased-array radar can help in this area, as these radars are able to rapidly scan using electronic beam steering. Phased-array radar has been used for decades in the defense sector and is expanding in use in the weather sector for precipitation observations. However, the technology has not yet been adopted for use as a ground-based cloud radar at millimeter wavelengths. This award will allow the research team to build a millimeter wavelength phased array demonstrator unit, which will examine the feasibility of a future ground-based, mobile phased array cloud radar. The downstream impact of this project will be to provide data for studies of cumulus evolution, cloud and precipitation processes, and tornado formation and wind structure. Students and early-career scientists will be involved in the design and testing of the unit, thereby providing hands-on training for the next generation of scientists and engineers. A community workshop will also be held to foster collaboration between scientists that are, or could be, using cloud radars for their research.This award is for the development of a technology demonstrator unit cell for a millimeter-wavelength rapid scan radar. Millimeter-wavelength radars are generally designed for the measurement of smaller particles, such as cloud droplets, versus traditional weather radars which measure precipitation-sized particles. While precipitation radars have employed phased-array technology with dual-polarization to rapidly scan and retrieve particle shapes, these enhancements have not been demonstrated for shorter wavelengths. This EAGER award will result in an 8x8 element array unit with a novel antenna architecture that would demonstrate the feasibility of a millimeter wavelength rapid scan imaging phased array radar. The proposed array unit-cell will be designed to have excellent co-polar match beam pattern ( 0.1 dB), high polarization isolation ( 40 dB), and large scanning performance. An over-the-air testing technique will be used to characterize and calibrate each active element in the phased array antenna in reception mode.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

云通过反射辐射平衡，影响降水模式和强度以及产生垂直空气运动，从而重新分配热量，水分和动量，从而在地球大气中起着至关重要的作用。云过程的某些方面仍然很少理解，部分原因是科学界缺乏对云的高空间和临时分辨率的测量。梯形阵列雷达可以在该区域提供帮助，因为这些雷达能够使用电子束转向快速扫描。在国防部门已经使用了数十年的阶梯阵列雷达，并且在天气行业中使用了用于降水观察的使用。但是，该技术尚未用作毫米波长的地面云雷达。该奖项将使研究团队能够构建一个毫米波长的阶段阵列演示器，该单元将研究未来的基于地面的移动式阵列云雷达的可行性。该项目的下游影响将是为积云进化，云和降水过程以及龙卷风形成和风结构的研究提供数据。学生和早期职业科学家将参与该单元的设计和测试，从而为下一代科学家和工程师提供动手培训。还将举行一个社区研讨会，以促进科学家之间或可能是使用云雷达进行研究的科学家之间的合作。该奖项是为了开发技术演示器单元细胞来开发用于毫米波长的快速扫描雷达。通常设计用于测量较小的颗粒（例如云滴）与传统天气雷达的毫米设计，这些雷达是测量精度尺寸的颗粒。虽然已雇用了带有双极化的分阶段阵列技术来快速扫描和检索粒子形状，但对于较短的波长而言，这些增强功能尚未得到证明。急切的奖励将导致一个具有新颖的天线结构的8x8元件阵列单元，该元素将证明毫米波长快速扫描成像阵列雷达的可行性。所提出的阵列单元电池将设计为具有出色的共磨匹配梁图案（0.1 dB），高极化隔离（40 dB）和较大的扫描性能。一项空中测试技术将用于在接收模式下在相位阵列天线中表征和校准每个活动元件。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过使用该基金会的知识分子的优点和更广泛的影响来评估NSF的法定任务。