scholarly journals Mapping ionospheric backscatter measured by the SuperDARN HF radars – Part 1: A new empirical virtual height model

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 823-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chisham ◽  
T. K. Yeoman ◽  
G. J. Sofko

Abstract. Accurately mapping the location of ionospheric backscatter targets (density irregularities) identified by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) HF radars can be a major problem, particularly at far ranges for which the radio propagation paths are longer and more uncertain. Assessing and increasing the accuracy of the mapping of scattering locations is crucial for the measurement of two-dimensional velocity structures on the small and meso-scale, for which overlapping velocity measurements from two radars need to be combined, and for studies in which SuperDARN data are used in conjunction with measurements from other instruments. The co-ordinates of scattering locations are presently estimated using a combination of the measured range and a model virtual height, assuming a straight line virtual propagation path. By studying elevation angle of arrival information of backscatterred signals from 5 years of data (1997–2001) from the Saskatoon SuperDARN radar we have determined the actual distribution of the backscatter target locations in range-virtual height space. This has allowed the derivation of a new empirical virtual height model that allows for a more accurate mapping of the locations of backscatter targets.

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Yeoman ◽  
G. Chisham ◽  
L. J. Baddeley ◽  
R. S. Dhillon ◽  
T. J. T. Karhunen ◽  
...  

Abstract. The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) network of HF coherent backscatter radars form a unique global diagnostic of large-scale ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Currently the ground projections of the HF radar returns are routinely determined by a simple rangefinding algorithm, which takes no account of the prevailing, or indeed the average, HF propagation conditions. This is in spite of the fact that both direct E- and F-region backscatter and 1½-hop E- and F-region backscatter are commonly used in geophysical interpretation of the data. In a companion paper, Chisham et al. (2008) have suggested a new virtual height model for SuperDARN, based on average measured propagation paths. Over shorter propagation paths the existing rangefinding algorithm is adequate, but mapping errors become significant for longer paths where the roundness of the Earth becomes important, and a correct assumption of virtual height becomes more difficult. The SuperDARN radar at Hankasalmi has a propagation path to high power HF ionospheric modification facilities at both Tromsø on a ½-hop path and SPEAR on a 1½-hop path. The SuperDARN radar at Þykkvibǽr has propagation paths to both facilities over 1½-hop paths. These paths provide an opportunity to quantitatively test the available SuperDARN virtual height models. It is also possible to use HF radar backscatter which has been artificially induced by the ionospheric heaters as an accurate calibration point for the Hankasalmi elevation angle of arrival data, providing a range correction algorithm for the SuperDARN radars which directly uses elevation angle. These developments enable the accurate mappings of the SuperDARN electric field measurements which are required for the growing number of multi-instrument studies of the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.


Author(s):  
V.V. Chapursky ◽  
A.A. Filatov ◽  
D.E. Koroteev

The methods of measuring the three coordinates of an aircraft in the takeoff and landing mode on the runway of airfields based on the use of non - cooperative two-and three-position systems of radars with phased array antennas are considered. For these variants, general analytical expressions are obtained for the complex generalized correlation integral of space – time processing in the function of spatial coordinates, taking into account the individual directional pattern of phased array antennas. On the basis of two – dimensional profiles of the correlation integral modules «range – elevation» and «azimuth – elevation», examples of comparing particular variants of two-position and three-position systems of radars with their location on one straight line parallel runway are given. In conditions of large signal-to-noise ratios, power-law nonlinear transformations of the correlation integral correlation integral module are applied to reduce the level of side lobes in the two – dimensional sections «range – elevation» and «azimuth – elevation». The following results are obtained using examples. Two-dimensional diagrams of the correlation integral module «range – elevation» do not depend on the azimuth of the aircraft in the range of azimuth values β=0…10 ̊ and correctly display the angle of elevation and the range of the aircraft when 2…3 radars of a non-cooperative system are located on the straight line parallel runway. The two-dimensional diagrams of the correlation integral module «azimuth – elevation angle» have an interference structure, and the number and level of their side lobes increase with increasing azimuth of the aircraft. With azimuth β≥10 ̊, this can lead to ambiguity in the measurement of the azimuth and uncertainty in the elevation angle . One of the measures to reduce the side level of the diagrams of the correlation integral module can be the use of a power-law transformation of normalized diagrams exponentiation of degree 3...4. An increase in the number of radars from two to three when they are located on one straight line parallel to the runway led to a decrease in the side lobes level of the «range – elevation angle» and «azimuth – elevation angle» diagrams. In this case, it may be advisable to solve the problem of optimal choice of the position of the intermediate radar on the same straight line. Calculations were also carried out for an additional example of the location of the intermediate radar of a 3-position system with its removal from the base line. At the same time, there was an increase of the side lobes level in the «azimuth – elevation angle» sections, which in the future may require additional research in terms of optimizing the placement of the radars in horizontal plane for such a radar systems.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 2929-2945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Bousquet ◽  
Pierre Tabary ◽  
Jacques Parent du Châtelet

Abstract The recent deployment of an innovative triple pulse rise time (PRT) scheme within the French operational radar network allows for the simultaneous collection of reflectivity and radial velocity measurements up to a range of 250 km with no ambiguity. This achievement brings new perspectives in terms of operational exploitation of Doppler measurements including the capability to consistently perform multiple-Doppler wind synthesis in a fully operational framework. Using real and simulated Doppler observations, the authors show that the 3D wind fields retrieved in that framework can definitely be relied upon to achieve a consistent and detailed mapping of the airflow structure in various precipitation regimes despite radar baselines averaging ∼180 km and very limited scanning strategies. This achievement could be easily transposed to other operational networks and represents a remarkable opportunity to add further value to operational Doppler velocity measurements.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1657-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Koustov ◽  
Robert Gillies ◽  
Peter Bankole

Abstract. The study considers simultaneous plasma velocity measurements in the eastward direction carried out by the Clyde River (CLY) Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) high-frequency (HF) radar and Resolute Bay (RB) incoherent scatter radar – Canada (RISR-C). The HF velocities are found to be in reasonable agreement with RISR velocities up to magnitudes of 700–800 m s−1 while, for faster flows, the HF velocity magnitudes are noticeably smaller. The eastward plasma flow component inferred from SuperDARN convection maps (constructed for the area of joint measurements with consideration of velocity data from all the radars of the network) shows the effect of smaller HF velocities more notably. We show that the differences in eastward velocities between the two instruments can be significant and prolonged for observations of strongly sheared plasma flows.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoyang Li ◽  
Junji Kawanaka

AbstractDuring the process of Bessel beam generation in free space, spatiotemporal optical wave-packets with tunable group velocities and accelerations can be created by deforming pulse-fronts of injected pulsed beams. So far, only one determined motion form (superluminal or luminal or subluminal for the case of group velocity; and accelerating or uniform-motion or decelerating for the case of acceleration) could be achieved in a single propagation path. Here we show that deformed pulse-fronts with well-designed axisymmetric distributions (unlike conical and spherical pulse-fronts used in previous studies) allow us to obtain nearly-programmable group velocities with several different motion forms in a single propagation path. Our simulation shows that this unusual optical wave-packet can propagate at alternating superluminal and subluminal group velocities along a straight-line trajectory with corresponding instantaneous accelerations that vary periodically between positive (acceleration) and negative (deceleration) values, almost encompassing all motion forms of the group velocity in a single propagation path. Such unusual optical wave-packets with nearly-programmable group velocities may offer new opportunities for optical and physical applications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin Huyghebaert ◽  
Adam Lozinsky ◽  
Glenn Hussey ◽  
Kathryn McWilliams ◽  
Draven Galeschuk ◽  
...  

<p>The Ionospheric Continuous-wave E-region Bistatic Experimental Auroral Radar (ICEBEAR) is located in Canada and has a field of view centered at (58°N, 106°W) overlooking the terrestrial auroral zone.  This 49.5 MHz coherent scatter radar measures plasma density irregularities in the E-region ionosphere using a pseudo random noise phase modulated continuous-wave (CW) signal.  ICEBEAR uses this coded CW signal to obtain simultaneous high temporal (1 s) and spatial (1.5 km) resolutions of E-region plasma density turbulence over a 600 km x 600 km field of view, providing insights into the Farley-Buneman plasma density instability and wave-like structures evident in the coherent scatter.  The initial results from ICEBEAR were obtained with a 1D receiving array, providing azimuthal angle of arrival details of the incoming scattered signal.  This azimuthal determination, along with the range determined using the coded signal, allowed the scatter to be mapped in 2D.  A recent reconfiguration of the receiving array has allowed the elevation angle of the received signal to be calculated, providing 3D determination of the location of the plasma density irregularities.  This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities of ICEBEAR, displaying measurements of highly dynamic plasma density irregularities with wave-like behaviour on 1 second time scales.</p>


Radio Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 709-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. McDonald ◽  
James Whittington ◽  
Sebastien de Larquier ◽  
Edhem Custovic ◽  
Thomas A. Kane ◽  
...  

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