Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network
Monitoring calibration bias in reflectivity (Z<sub>H</sub>) in an operational S-band dual-polarization weather radar is the primary requisite for monitoring and prediction (nowcasting) of severe weather and routine weather forecasting using a weather radar network. For this purpose, we c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/15/2936 |
| _version_ | 1797525211465121792 |
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| author | Jeong-Eun Lee Soohyun Kwon Sung-Hwa Jung |
| author_facet | Jeong-Eun Lee Soohyun Kwon Sung-Hwa Jung |
| author_sort | Jeong-Eun Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Monitoring calibration bias in reflectivity (Z<sub>H</sub>) in an operational S-band dual-polarization weather radar is the primary requisite for monitoring and prediction (nowcasting) of severe weather and routine weather forecasting using a weather radar network. For this purpose, we combined methods based on self-consistency (SC), ground clutter (GC) monitoring, and intercomparison to monitor the Z<sub>H</sub> in real time by complementing the limitations of each method. The absolute calibration bias can be calculated based on the SC between dual-polarimetric observations. Unfortunately, because SC is valid for rain echoes, it is impossible to monitor reflectivity during the non-precipitation period. GC monitoring is an alternative method for monitoring changes in calibration bias regardless of weather conditions. The statistics of GC Z<sub>H</sub> near radar depend on the changes in radar system status, such as antenna pointing and calibration bias. The change in GC Z<sub>H</sub> relative to the baseline was defined as the relative calibration adjustment (RCA). The calibration bias was estimated from the change in RCA, which was similar to that estimated from the SC. The Z<sub>H</sub> in the overlapping volume of adjacent radars was compared to verify the homogeneity of Z<sub>H</sub> over the radar network after applying the calibration bias estimated from the SC. The mean bias between two radars was approximately 0.0 dB after correcting calibration bias. We can conclude that the combined method makes it possible to use radar measurements, which are immune to calibration bias, and to diagnose malfunctioning radar systems as soon as possible. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:10:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-caecb4342eb34b108047877b40fc4092 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:10:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-caecb4342eb34b108047877b40fc40922023-11-22T06:06:23ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922021-07-011315293610.3390/rs13152936Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar NetworkJeong-Eun Lee0Soohyun Kwon1Sung-Hwa Jung2Weather Radar Center, Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul 07062, KoreaWeather Radar Center, Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul 07062, KoreaWeather Radar Center, Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul 07062, KoreaMonitoring calibration bias in reflectivity (Z<sub>H</sub>) in an operational S-band dual-polarization weather radar is the primary requisite for monitoring and prediction (nowcasting) of severe weather and routine weather forecasting using a weather radar network. For this purpose, we combined methods based on self-consistency (SC), ground clutter (GC) monitoring, and intercomparison to monitor the Z<sub>H</sub> in real time by complementing the limitations of each method. The absolute calibration bias can be calculated based on the SC between dual-polarimetric observations. Unfortunately, because SC is valid for rain echoes, it is impossible to monitor reflectivity during the non-precipitation period. GC monitoring is an alternative method for monitoring changes in calibration bias regardless of weather conditions. The statistics of GC Z<sub>H</sub> near radar depend on the changes in radar system status, such as antenna pointing and calibration bias. The change in GC Z<sub>H</sub> relative to the baseline was defined as the relative calibration adjustment (RCA). The calibration bias was estimated from the change in RCA, which was similar to that estimated from the SC. The Z<sub>H</sub> in the overlapping volume of adjacent radars was compared to verify the homogeneity of Z<sub>H</sub> over the radar network after applying the calibration bias estimated from the SC. The mean bias between two radars was approximately 0.0 dB after correcting calibration bias. We can conclude that the combined method makes it possible to use radar measurements, which are immune to calibration bias, and to diagnose malfunctioning radar systems as soon as possible.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/15/2936radar reflectivity calibrationrelative calibration adjustmentmonitoring of ground clutterself-consistency principlenetwork-based intercomparison |
| spellingShingle | Jeong-Eun Lee Soohyun Kwon Sung-Hwa Jung Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network Remote Sensing radar reflectivity calibration relative calibration adjustment monitoring of ground clutter self-consistency principle network-based intercomparison |
| title | Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network |
| title_full | Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network |
| title_fullStr | Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network |
| title_full_unstemmed | Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network |
| title_short | Real-Time Calibration and Monitoring of Radar Reflectivity on Nationwide Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Network |
| title_sort | real time calibration and monitoring of radar reflectivity on nationwide dual polarization weather radar network |
| topic | radar reflectivity calibration relative calibration adjustment monitoring of ground clutter self-consistency principle network-based intercomparison |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/15/2936 |
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