Spatial-Temporal Differential Analysis for Profiling the Atmosphere, 2, Experimental Results

We consider an application of the spatial-temporal differential analysis (STDA) to measuring characteristics of the atmosphere with spaced antenna wind profilers. STDA is a new method for processing multiple signals which utilizes spatial and temporal scintillations in the instantaneous signal power on the radar antenna. To test the practical potential of STDA, we used actual signals from the multiple antennas profiling radar (MAPR). The goal was to measure mean horizontal winds and characteristics of atmospheric turbulence in the presence of intensive ground clutter. The STDA results in the atmospheric boundary layer at a height of 300 m above the ground are compared with simultaneous measurements by a sonic anemometer located atop a 300-m tower 600 m distant from MAPR. Second-order structure functions for multiple radar signals were used for the processing. We demonstrate that this simplified STDA technique provides a good performance by reliably measuring mean winds in cluttered environment It also enables comprehensive measurements of atmospheric turbulence which no other known methodology is able to provide