Sodar, radar profiler and RASS operating principles and PAMS applications
- Radian Corp., Austin, TX (United States)
Meteorological remote sensing is most commonly thought of as weather satellites taking the cloud pictures one sees on television. Less widely known, but equally well developed and routinely fielded in recent years, are ground-based systems that look upward into the lower atmosphere to provide wind and temperature measurements in vertical profile. All such profilers operate on the interaction of their transmitted pulse with the atmosphere and provide measurements based upon interpretation of the signal reflected back to the system`s antenna. Such systems include the sodar (SOund Detection And Ranging), using strictly acoustic signals, the radar profiler, using electromagnetic transmissions, and the RASS, incorporating acoustic and electromagnetic interactions. This paper provides an overview of sodar, radar profiler, and RASS technology, with emphasis on operating principles and potential Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) applications. A description of the capabilities and limitations of each system is included, based upon experience in its operational use supporting ozone-related field measurement programs in recent years. The combined use of the three types of systems for upper air meteorological monitoring at the first PAMS site in New Jersey is highlighted.
- OSTI ID:
- 197361
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9405167--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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