Space borne GPM dual-frequency radar simulation from high resolution ground radar observations

The global precipitation measurement (GPM) mission is dedicated to improving the understanding of the global water cycle by measuring and mapping precipitation throughout the globe. The core GPM satellite will incorporate two separate precipitation radars: one operating at Ku-band (13.6 GHz) and the other at Ka band (35.6 GHz). Each radar beam will be steered such that they both point to the same location in the atmosphere. The main purpose of the dual-frequency radar system is to resolve the DSD in precipitation as well as discriminate between rain and ice. With the two beams collocated on the same precipitation volume, new algorithms are being developed to reliably estimate attenuation and rain rate. Any algorithm is based on models of precipitation. In addition, the GPM system assumes collocated beams and matched resolution volumes. Electromagnetic and microphysical models have been developed based on ground-based dual-frequency radar data at S-band to simulate Ku- and Ka-band results for comparison with the new GPM algorithms. This paper evaluates the dual-frequency inversion algorithm with synthesized S-band and known perfect data and presents results. Results show the expected performance of the new dual-precipitation radar algorithms with the potential for guiding algorithm and system improvements.