The Relocatable Atmospheric Observatory: A Global Incoherent Scatter Radar

该奖项是为了设计和建造先进模块化非相干散射雷达（AMISR）。 该项目最初设想是一个大型可操纵的碟形雷达，现在具有强大的模块化固态电子可操纵相控阵设计，能够观测高层大气和电离层的许多特性。 模块化设计将使雷达能够观测从赤道到极地的地球大气层特性。 脉冲到脉冲的波束摆动将用于观测迅速变化的电离层结构。 AMISR设计具有独特的功能，可以在大约六个月内经济高效地拆卸、运输和重新组装。 天线由三个面组成，可以独立部署。 作为最初的部署战略，第一个面将在阿拉斯加的扑克平原研究范围内建造，而第二个面将在加拿大北极的Resolute湾组装。 AMISR将通过两个在过去技术上不可行的重要功能提供几乎无限的新科学观测手段，这将大大加强观测和活动的进行方式。 首先，具有固态发射器且没有移动部件的非相干散射雷达将增加对单点雷达故障的免疫力，并允许远程互联网接入和最少的现场人员延长操作时间。 第二，相控阵概念将允许脉冲到脉冲的波束转向，从而能够在高信噪比环境中对电子密度特征进行三维成像，例如离散的极光结构。 更广泛的影响：由雷达实现的科学研究包括与空间天气、全球变化、大气物理和等离子体科学有关的研究。 这些数据将被广泛传播给世界各地的研究人员，并将成为下一代大气和无线电科学家的优秀教学工具

This award is for the design and construction of the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR). Originally conceived to be a large steerable, dish-type radar, the project now features a powerful, modular, solid-state, electronically steerable phased-array design capable of observing many properties of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The modular design will enable the radar to observe properties of Earth's atmosphere from the equator to the pole. Pulse-to-pulse beam swinging will be used for observing rapidly evolving ionospheric structure. The AMISR design includes unique features that allow cost-effective dismantling, shipping, and re-assembly in about six months. The antenna consists of three faces that can be deployed independently. As an initial deployment strategy, the first face will be constructed at the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska, while the second two faces will be assembled at Resolute Bay in the Canadian Arctic. AMISR will provide the means for practically unlimited new scientific observations via two significant features that have not been technically feasible in the past, and that will greatly enhance the way observations and campaigns are conducted. First, an incoherent scatter radar with a solid-state transmitter and no moving parts will increase immunity to single point radar failures and allow extended operating periods with remote internet access and minimal on-site personnel. Second, the phased-array concept will allow pulse-to-pulse beam steering, thus enabling three-dimensional imaging of electron density features in high signal-to-noise environments such as discrete auroral structures. Broader Impacts: Scientific studies enabled by the radar include those related to space weather, global change, atmospheric physics, and plasma science. The data will be widely disseminated to researchers world-wide, and will be an excellent teaching tool for the next generation of atmospheric and radio scientists