The ATRAD ST wind profiler uses Doppler Beam Swinging (DBS) techniques to provide real-time vertical profiles of horizontal wind speed and direction at heights of up to 20km above ground level. It operates in the low VHF frequency range, providing significant cost benefits and eliminating data contamination arising from tropical conditions, precipitation and bird or insect migrations.
The ST wind profiler provides a low-cost alternative to meteorological balloon stations for wind profiling applications. Alternatively, it may be used in conjunction with a meteorological balloon station to reduce the number of costly balloon flights per day. It also has applications in rocket and space launch operations and scientific research.
- Upper-air wind profiling system
- Sampling range 500—20,000 metres
- Real-time wind profiles
- Low operating costs
- Fully automated, unattended operation
- Remote monitoring and control
- Doppler Beam Swinging (DBS) operation
- BUFR output for easy data assimilation
- Unaffected by Tropical conditions, precipitation and bird or insect migrations
- Data acquisition and analysis
Exciter: Single Channel, 16-Bit
Observation range: 500m-20,000m
Range resolution: 100m – 4,000m (software selectable)
Range gates: Up to 6,000
Analysis modes & displays: Doppler Beam Swinging (DBS), Wind Barb, Wind Field, Wind Profile, SNR Profile
Data output formats: BUFR, AXF
Remote Control: Remote monitoring and control via internet (satellite, 3G/4G), Ethernet or dialup modem.
- Transmitter/Receiver
Receiver: Single channel, 16-bit
Frequency: 30-64 MHz (Fixed frequency)
Transmitter power: 20kW, 40kW, 60kW, 80kW (customised systems available in higher power configurations)
Combiner method: Transmitter module outputs combined and then split; provides improved phase matching and allows for graceful degradation.
Transmit/receive switching: T/R switches integrated in beam-steering unit
AC Mains Power: 220-240V AC or 110-120V AC 3-Phase
- Antenna array
Antenna Array Configuration: 144 three-element Yagi antennas arranged in a 12 x 12 square array.
Antenna Array Footprint: ~ 40m x 40m (at 55MHz)
Beam steering: Four 15° off-zenith beams in NESW directions and vertical beam. Relay-switched phase delay.
