Integration of four X-band radars into the existing C-band network: focus on the correction for specific attenuation
- Deutscher Wetterdienst, Forschung und Entwicklung, Germany (nikolaos.antonoglou@dwd.de)
The combination of C-band and X-band radar networks has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers significant benefits for a range of applications. C-band and X-band radars use different frequencies, with the prior operating at around 5.6 GHz and the latter operating at around 9.3 GHz, leading to wavelengths of 5.3 and 3.2 cm, respectively. This means that the two types of radar have different characteristics and are suited to different applications.
When combined, the two radar types complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. C-band radar can cover a larger area and provide a general overview of the environment being monitored, while X-band radar can provide detailed information about specific targets within that area. By combining these two types of radar, it is possible to obtain a more accurate and complete picture of the environment being monitored, with both high resolution and extended range. On the other hand, the combination of different-frequency radars in one processing chain brings several challenges. The backscattering profiles are different in each system, resulting in distinct observation patterns. Moreover, each frequency is subject to different attenuation rates, according to which, the appropriate corrections need to be applied.
The German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst – DWD) operates a network of 17 C-band radars and in the following months will start to install four additional X-band systems in the urban areas of Karlsruhe, Nürnberg, Halle, and Bremen. The goal is to extend the coverage of the network and improve the early detection of thunderstorms that could potentially cause flash floods. As an initial step, we aim at quantifying the specific attenuation for all types of precipitation and the two frequencies. This process is fundamental for the realistic correction of the observations, particularly for higher-frequency signals that are more heavily impacted by attenuation.
How to cite: Antonoglou, N., Blahak, U., Werner, M., and Helmert, K.: Integration of four X-band radars into the existing C-band network: focus on the correction for specific attenuation, EMS Annual Meeting 2023, Bratislava, Slovakia, 4–8 Sep 2023, EMS2023-275, https://doi.org/10.5194/ems2023-275, 2023.
