REMOTE SENSING WIND AND WIND SHEAR SYSTEM

The prototype development of an acoustic Doppler remote-sensing system to detect low-level wind shear generated by synoptic-scale features such as frontal surfaces is described. The detector system measures the vertical profile of wind by determining the Doppler frequency shift of vertically transmitted acoustic signals that are scattered by small-scale atmospheric inhomogeneities. Following earlier acoustic Doppler tests at Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, significant improvements have been accomplished on the acoustic transmitter and receiver antennas, and signal processing. A concial horn reflector antenna with a 2-m diameter aperture fed by 12 high-power acoustic drivers through a manifold increased the transmitted power by more than 100%. Substantial improvements have been achieved in received signal-to-noise ratio by developing a narrow-beam, off-focus steered receiver antenna that is capable of tracking the upward propagating acoustic pulse. Development of new system software made all-digital signal processing and computerized system control possible. A brief review of wind-shear types and their detection is followed by a discussion of second-generation wind-shear detection systems employing lidar and microwave radar devices.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Availability: Microfiche copies only.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  6010 Executive Boulevard
  Rockville, MD  United States  20852

  Boulder Colorado Wave Propagation Lab

  Boulder, CO  United States 
• Authors:
  • Mandics, P A
• Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 35 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic detectors; Acoustic impedance; Acoustic signal processing; Doppler effect; Doppler navigation; Equipment tests; Fronts (Meteorology); Remote control; Signal processing; Test procedures; Wave motion; Wind shear
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic detection; Acoustic signals; Doppler system; Remote systems; Test equipment
• Subject Areas: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168948
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-RD-77-54, Interim Rpt, Phase 3
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FA72WAI-281
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 2002 12:00AM