Charles L Wrench RCRU FMCW radar performance and cost

Presenter Name Facility Name FMCW radar - key design questions: The needs of the users: Required sensitivity Range resolution Doppler capability Polarimetric capability Specification of instrument preliminary to detailed design: Dual or single antenna Tx power (solid state amplifier type) Key instrument design features to permit later upgrades: Quality if signal Constraints of Functionality vs Cost: How many do we foresee being sold/deployed? What features are likely to raise the costs above an acceptable threshold? Target cost of instrument to customer: <100K Euros? FMCW radar design

Presenter Name Facility Name Radar development - activity objectives: Maximising sensitivity to be a key objective. Aiming to see most cloud types and fog - ~-45dBz at a range of 2km. Range resolution should be manually selectable – depending on the target type. (15-30 metres typically for fog) Maximum range ~ 12 – 13 km. Minimum near-field range ~50 metres Doppler capability would not require additional hardware but would reduce sensitivity – seen as a second order requirement. Signal purity was going to be very important. Polarimetry seen as a third order need and would require additional hardware - increasing the cost. The radar unit needs to be rugged and robust for non-specialist users. The radars will eventually be deployed in a range of climates – the units will need to be weather proof, and be air-conditioned to maintain temperature control. FMCW radar - Objectives

Presenter Name Facility Name Frequency of choice:94 GHz Antenna configuration:Dual antenna system [30 cm diameter horn antennas] Beamwidth0.55 degrees Transmit Power400 mW (+26dBm) Receiver Noise Figure6.5 dB Range resolution:60 metres Pulse length:1 msec Pulse Repetition Frequency:1 kHz One specification for an FMCW cloud radar The specification below is intended as an indication of the performance that can be expected from a FMCW cloud radar that makes use of components available commercially.

Presenter Name Facility Name Radar sensitivity can be improved by integrating pulses so it is anticipated that: At a range of 2 km, the sensitivity would be ~ –39 dBz when integrating for 1 second. At a range of 2 km, the sensitivity would be ~ –44 dBz when integrating for 10 seconds. At a range of 10 km, the sensitivity would be ~ -37 dBz when integrating for 60 seconds. FMCW radar performance figures

Presenter Name Facility Name The following estimates of development time and costs of a prototype are for guidance only at this stage: Development time:~ 1 year Development costs (components and manpower)~ 200K Euros FMCW development time and cost estimates The objective would be to produce systems for sale at below 100K Euros