Reflectivity retrieval in a networked radar environment: Demonstration from the CASA IP1 radar network

A network-based reflectivity retrieval technique has been developed within the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA). The concept of a networked- radar system is simultaneous observations of the same precipitation event by multiple radars operating at the attenuating frequency such as X-band and scanning in a low elevation plane. This paper presents the preliminary demonstration of the network-based retrieval using data from the first Integration Project (IP1) radar network in Oklahoma. Electromagnetic waves backscattered from a common volume in a networked radar system are attenuated differently along the different paths. The CASA networked-retrieval method is based on a set of governing integral equations describing the backscatter and propagation of common volume with constraints of total path attenuation. The method has been implemented in a multiprocessor environment, which operate simultaneously and collaboratively to meet the real time requirement of CASA. The performance of the implemented retrieval algorithm such as computation requirement will be presented. Comparison of the CASA networked retrieval is made against the conventional attenuation correction based on the principle of coupling the specific attenuation, differential propagation phase and reflectivity. The preliminary results show good agreement with conventional differential phase base attenuation correction.