Doppler Weather Radar

Calibration
G.VISWANATHAN
Director(Rtd)-ISRAD
gemsvi@yahoo.com
DWR Calibration
How DWR works & what constitute the radar data
Measurement Accuracy, Precision ,Bias
Radar Hardware Calibration
Antenna,Rx Sensitivity, Tx Power,Signal Processing
Calibration vs Validation
Z estimate Validation
Doppler Velocity Validation
Inter comparison of data – Radar-Radar, Radar-Gauge
Networked Radars – Cal/Val Issues
Dual Pol Radar Calibration
What IMD needs to do
 RADAR TARGETS

HARD TARGET SOFT TARGET

Distinct reflecting targets small Distributed targets like hydro

enough not to fill the beam (Point meteors or turbulent medium which
target) fills the beam.
(Volume reflectivity)
R
3.R

Ct/2
C /2

Radar Resolution Elements

Range : C /2 Doppler: 1/ T, where T is Integration Time
Angle : 3.R
SPATIO TEMPORAL SAMPLING OF DYNAMIC WEATHER PHENOMENA
BY DWR IN A HEMISPHERICAL VOLUME OF SPACE AROUND RADAR

q3xR Dr q3xR
= Dv

1 2 3
Dr=c/2fs IPP=T=1/prf
Radar Data
Raw Data @ I/Q level, or Signal power
received
Base Data – or – Moment Data (Z,V,s)
 Derived Products, like Rain Rate(R)
H Pol radars depend on emperical
exponential, Z-R relationship, further
compounded by DSD, Climatology etc.
BASE PRODUCTS OF THE DWR ARE THE THREE MOMENTS OF THE TIME
SERIES THUS GENERATED-
Z = Precipitation Intensity is the area under the curve of Doppler
Velocity Spectrum for an incremental volume of space as seen by the
Radar resolution elements,D v=( q3 R)2(DR) & filled with
Hydrometeors and
is estimated from the 0th moment of the Time Series generated by
the radar.
VD= Mean Doppler Velocity of the Hydrometeors in the resolution
volume &
is estimated from the First Moment of the Time Series.

s = Spectrum Width of Doppler Spectrum &

is estimated from the Second Momentof the Time Series.

where
q3 = Beam width
DR = Range resolution V
R = Range to the
volume element s
Z

ISRAD ISRO RADAR DEVELOPMENT UNIT, BANGALORE.

Accuracy, Precision, Resolution
Neither precise Precise but not
nor accurate accurate

* * *
*
* *
***
***
***
* * * *

Accurate but Accurate &

not precise Precise

*** ***
***
*** ***
*** ***
Measurement Accuracy
Accuracy
Frames of Reference for Radar
Z Target
T
Zg Tropo Centric Frame position
P(r, , ) @
 = El tX
X
Yt , , h t N
Y =
Az
Xg r = Slant range or radial distance (Kms)
Origin  = Elevation angle [measured from local
Earth Centre
Yg horizon (mils)]
 = Azimuth Angle [measured clock wise
Geocentric
from North (mils)]
Frame
Radar Data Array
Elevation(-2 to+30deg)
Azimuth for Each Elevation (0-360deg)
Range ( in terms of Range Bin) for each
Azimuth
Data values(say Z,V,) for each Range Bin
DWR Hardware Calibration
Weather Radar Equation relates the signal
power received in terms of the System level
parameters of the radar and the backscattering cross
section of the target, in this case the hydrometeors in a
cloud.
It can be written in a simpler form as follows:
Sr = KZ/(R*R)
Where K is known as the Radar Constant
Z is precipitation intensity in sample volume
R is Slant range to Target in a given Az & El
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Lat: 13.664
13.7 Lon: 80.227

  13.6 Shar
Lat: 13.374

13.5 Lon: 80.258

Lat: 13.374
Latitude(deg)

13.4
Lon: 80.258
13.3

Lat: 13.664 Lat: 13.083

13.2 Lon: 80.289

Lon: 80.227 13.1 CDR

Lat: 13.083 13
80.00 80.10 80.20 80.30 80.40 80.50

Lon: 80.289 Longitude(deg)

 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT

: Two radar beams intersecting. Here red and blue lines mark the range bins of
radar A and B respectively. Note that the difference in the sizes of range bins
between two radars leads to different sampling volumes in the overlapping volume.
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
DWR at SDSC SHAR
10 MHz ref Pulse/CW

EXT.SIMULATOR

RF source Modulator Variable Az RJ, Cable, RF

2.7-2.9 GHz Attenuator Amplifier

IF RECEIVER
RF FRONT END

IFA & FILTER Cable, Down LNA PIN Directional. TRL

Az RJ Converter Coupler feed

Base band Down I 2 x ADC I DSP dBm (POUT ) / dBZ

Conversion
Q Q

Figure 2. Experimental setup at DWR-SHAR for calibrating receive chain dynamic range.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
CDR, SHAR - LP

100

90

80

70
Reflectivity(dBZ)

60

50

40

30

20

10

-10
-120 -110 -100 -90 -80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0

Input power(dBm)

DWR, SHAR CDR, Chennai

IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT

The radius of the metal sphere considered in Spherecal is 15

cms. Radar cross section of this metal sphere falls close to
optical region as shown in the calculations below:
 2  r/ = 9.01 & /  r2 = 0.99
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT

. Launching of metal sphere from SHAR for spherecal experiment. Also shown I
s the video output of metal sphere. Upper trace is log video and lower trace is linear output
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT

Table 2.
Summary of Spherecal experiment conducted on 4-4-2007 for Pulse width = 2 s

S. Description DWR, SHAR CDR, Chennai

No
1 Radar Constant in use -7.53 dB -7.0 dB

2 Radar Constant measured -6.66 dB -4.56 dB

from Spherecal expt.
3 Difference between +0.87 dB +2.44 dB
measured and estimated
Average value from Value corresponding to
Remarks both the spheres 2nd sphere only
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT

Table – 1. Comparison of antenna gain using Sun calibration

DWR System Expected Measured Difference

Location Antenna Gain Antenna Gain (measured –
expected)
SHAR 45.0 dB 44.1 dB -0.91 dB
Chennai 44.23 dB 45.6 dB + 1.37 dB
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Joint CAL-VAL Committee of IMD-ISRO

Prof.G.S,Bhat-CAOS/IISc Chairman
Mr.SK.Banerji- IMD HQ Member
Mr. B.Thampi – IMD© Member
Mr.SK.Kundu - IMD HQ Member
Mr.S.Venkateswarlu-IMD Member
Dr.B.Manikiam-ISRO HQ Member
Dr.GV.Rama- ISRO SHAR Member
Mr.V.Rama Rao – ISRAD Member
Mr.S.Rajendran - ISRAD Member
Mr.R.Ranga Rao –ISRAD Member-Secretary
Data Analysis ably assisted by Mrs.Anitha Daniel,Subbu,&Vikas
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
SHAR-2006_10_28_16_31_10 Comparison of PPI-Z @ Elevation 1.0

CDR-2006_10_28_16_30_29_72

SHAR
22
CDR-2006_10_28_16_30_29_72

PPI (Z) comparison of SHAR and Chennai DWRs before applying the corrections.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
2006_10_28_19_36_28
Comparison of PPI-Z @ Ele 1

CDR-2006_10_28_19_34_01

Figure 8. c) PPI (Z) comparison of SHAR and Chennai DWRs before applying the correction.
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
2006_10_28_19_36_28
Comparison of PPI-Z @ Ele 1 after added bias +5dB to
SHAR
CDR-2006_10_28_19_34_01

25 SHAR

Figure 8. d) PPI (Z) comparison of SHAR and Chennai DWRs after applying the correction.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Intersection point @ 13.374,80.258 after correction

60

50

40
Z(dBz)

30

20

10

-10

-20

-30
24 : 12 00 48 36 24 12 00
14
:
19 0: 4: 9: 14
:
19
: 0:
6 6 06 06 06
06 0 9 /0 / / 06 06 /
8/ 8/ / 2 / 29 29 9/ 9/ 30
/2 /2 10 10 0/
1 /2 /2 10
/
10 10 Time(UT) 10 10
 IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Middle point@13.378,80.30 after correction

60

50

40
Z(dBz)

30

20

10

-10

-20
10/28/06 14:24 10/28/06 19:12 10/29/06 0:00 10/29/06 4:48 10/29/06 9:36 10/29/06 14:24 10/29/06 19:12 10/30/06 0:00

Time(UT)
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Scatter Figure 11. a) Scatter plot of cloud reflectivity of SHAR and
Chennai DWRs without correction.
Figure 11. b) Scatter plot of cloud reflectivity of SHAR and Chennai
DWRs with correction (added +2dBz to SHAR and –3dBz to Chennai
data).
Subsequently an inter comparison between SHAR DWR and TRMM –
(Joint PR-TMI )revealed that SHAR – DWR makes an under estimate
of ~5-6dB
 Most likely cause is the difference in Antenna gain as measured in
Test range(Without Bends& twists) & the effective gain after field
installation, namely plumbing losses)
In the production version of the radar WG plumbing is optimized by
welding /brazing WG components with out using standard flanges
etc.
 
 
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Scatter plot_without correction
60
55

50

45

C D R (Z )
40

35
30
25

20 y = 0.8802x + 5.0463
15
10
5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
SHAR(Z)

Figure 11. a) Scatter plot of cloud reflectivity of SHAR and Chennai DWRs without correction.

Scatter plot_withcorrection
added 2dBz to SHAR,added -3dBz to CDR
60
55
50
45
C D R (Z )

40
35
30
25
20 y = 0.8802x + 0.286
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
SHAR(Z)

Figure 11. b) Scatter plot of cloud reflectivity of SHAR and Chennai DWRs with correction (added +2dBz to
SHAR and –3dBz to Chennai data).
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Rain Acc. comparison between radar and radar

DWR-SHAR DWR-CDR

120.00

100.00
Rain A c c .(m m /day )

80.00

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
80.26 80.10 80.20 80.30 80.40 80.05 80.08 80.35 80.15

13.374 13.358 13.368 13.378 13.389 13.353 13.356 13.383 13.363

Middle points

Figure 12. Histogram of rain accumulation of both radars at equidistant locations.

IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
Rain Acc. comparison between gauge and radar

Raingauge DWR-SHAR DWR-CDR

180
160
Rain A c c .(m m /day )

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Sulurpet Gudur Nellore Nungambakkam
Gauge locations

Figure 13. Histogram of daily rainfall measured by rain gauges and DWRs.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
4. Conclusions
For the Committee Members, visit to the radar sites and
seeing DWRs in operation was an unforgettable
experience. The radar calibration experiments could be
successfully carried out because IMD and ISRAD teams
worked together as one unit with lot of understanding
and full cooperation. This spirit should continue. Some
important conclusions from calibrations carried out are as
follows.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
SHAR_2006_10_29_05_35_28 CDR_2006_10_29_05_33_55

Figure 14.a) Radar to radar PPI (V) image comparison.

(Note: The cyclone crossed Nellore. Since the cyclone is north of both the DWRs
similar velocity patterns are seen by both the DWRs.
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT
 The response of the receive chain sub-system of both the DWRs (forward of
the LNA input point) is linear over a dynamic range of ~100 dB. The
repeatability is excellent. The performance of this sub-system is as per the
design specifications.
 The measured radar constant based on metal sphere calibration differs from
the values being used at present by +1.57 dB and +0.87 dB respectively for
Chennai and SHAR DWRs. These numbers are based on the maximum value
of Z measured during Spherecal experiment at a given range of the sphere.
 Suncal results show that the measured antenna gain differs from the values
being used at present by +1.4 dB and -0.9 dB respectively for the Chennai
and SHAR DWRs. The measurement uncertainty in Suncal experiment is ±1
dB, and the observed differences are within or close to this limi
 Radar derived daily rain accumulations are consistently lower than that
measured by the rain gauges. The Z-R relationships used were developed for
the mid-latitude systems. Perhaps, these relations need re-evaluation for the
Indian cloud systems.
 The intercomparison of Z products in areas that are almost equi-distant from
two radars and in volumes having some overlap show that there is a
difference of about 4 to 6 dB between the two radars with Chennai values
being higher. Even among radars of the same make, differences of 2-3 dB
are common.
Essentiality of CAL-VAL for IMD
All networked DWR’s to be Calibrated periodically as per
well laid out procedure.
Sun Cal to be once in 3 months & sphere Cal every 6
months
Each DWR to be supported by a network of fast response
TM Rain Gauges
Atleast Two Distrometers to be part of Rain Gauge
network
IMD to organize a DWR CAL-VAL workshop once a year,
with participation of Designers, IMD,ISRO, Mnfrs,
Modelers & Researchers in Radar meteorology .
Database for each Network radar on CAL-VAL to be
archived.
 Seasonal Differences in
DSD at Gadanki:

Rao et al. 2009, QJRMS

Radhakrishna et al. 2009, JGR
THANK YOU
IMD-ISRO CAL-VAL EXPERIMENT