Research aircraft using radar to study clouds

Sky-High Science: How Airborne Radar is Revolutionizing Weather Research

Soraya Malik in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how the University of Wyoming's new airborne Ka-band radar is transforming atmospheric research and providing unprecedented insights into cloud behavior and precipitation patterns."

Weather impacts all of our lives, from daily wardrobe choices to large-scale agricultural planning. Scientists are constantly seeking new and improved ways to understand and predict weather patterns. Recent advancements in radar technology, especially compact airborne systems, are providing unprecedented insights into atmospheric processes.

The University of Wyoming (UW) has recently enhanced its atmospheric research capabilities with the acquisition of a compact, Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR). This state-of-the-art radar system, developed in collaboration with ProSensing Inc., is designed to operate from a standard Particle Measurement Systems (PMS) canister, making it highly versatile and adaptable for airborne research missions.

Mounted on the wing of the UW King Air research aircraft (UWKA), the KPR works in tandem with other advanced instruments, including a cloud radar, cloud lidar, and in-situ instruments. This integrated approach allows for more accurate and comprehensive data collection, improving our ability to analyze cloud and precipitation properties. Let's dive into how this new technology works and what it reveals about our atmosphere.

Ka-Band Radar: A Technical Overview

Research aircraft using radar to study clouds

The Ka-band radar operates at a frequency of 35.64 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength of approximately 8.4 mm. This frequency range offers a sweet spot for observing both cloud structures and precipitation, providing detailed information on particle size and distribution. Key components of the radar system include:

An arbitrary transmit pulse waveform generator: This component creates the radar's signal, which consists of a chirped, linear frequency-modulated pulse followed by a short radio frequency (RF) pulse. This unique waveform design enables the radar to measure close-range objects (as near as 120 meters) using the short pulses, while also achieving high sensitivity at longer ranges using the compressed chirped waveform.

A 10W solid-state power amplifier: This amplifier boosts the transmitted signal, ensuring sufficient power to penetrate clouds and detect precipitation.
Flat plate slotted waveguide array antennas: These antennas, each 14 cm in diameter, are arranged to provide interleaved profiling above and below the aircraft, capturing a comprehensive view of the atmospheric column.
A dual-channel digital receiver: Installed in an industrial-grade PC, the receiver processes the incoming radar signals, converting them into data that scientists can analyze.
Real-time data processing: Software on the PC controls the radar, acquires data, and displays information in real-time, enabling researchers to make informed decisions during flight.

The radar's design allows for flexibility in data collection. It can operate in “raw” mode, recording the direct signal measurements, or in pulse-pair mode, calculating the moments of the received signal to estimate Doppler velocity and spectral width. The system can also alternate between two antennas, enhancing data resolution and accuracy. This adaptability ensures that the KPR can be optimized for various research objectives and atmospheric conditions.

The Future of Atmospheric Observation

The integration of the Ka-band radar with other instruments marks a significant step forward in atmospheric research. By providing detailed, high-resolution data on cloud and precipitation processes, the KPR enhances our understanding of weather phenomena and improves our ability to predict future weather patterns. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated tools to emerge, further transforming our ability to study and understand the complex dynamics of our atmosphere.

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This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1109/igarss.2018.8519605, Alternate LINK

Title: Compact Airborne Ka-Band Radar: A New Addition To The University Of Wyoming Aircraft For Atmospheric Research

Journal: IGARSS 2018 - 2018 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium

Publisher: IEEE

Authors: S. Haimov, J. French, B. Geerts, Z. Wang, M. Deng, A. Rodi, A. Pazmany

Published: 2018-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does the University of Wyoming's airborne Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) improve atmospheric research?

The University of Wyoming's airborne Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) enhances atmospheric research by operating at a frequency of 35.64 GHz, allowing detailed observation of cloud structures and precipitation. It provides data on particle size and distribution, contributing to a better understanding of weather phenomena. The radar can switch between raw mode, which captures direct signal measurements, and pulse-pair mode, which assesses the received signal to measure Doppler velocity and spectral width.

What advantages does integrating the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) with other instruments offer for atmospheric research?

The integration of the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) with other instruments like cloud radar, cloud lidar, and in-situ instruments enables comprehensive data collection on cloud and precipitation properties. This integrated approach improves the accuracy of atmospheric analysis and helps forecast future weather patterns. It facilitates real-time decision-making by researchers during flight, optimizing the research outcomes and adaptability in varied atmospheric conditions.

What is the role of the arbitrary transmit pulse waveform generator in the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR), and how does it function?

The arbitrary transmit pulse waveform generator is a vital part of the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR). It creates the radar's signal using a chirped, linear frequency-modulated pulse followed by a short radio frequency (RF) pulse. This special waveform enables the radar to measure objects very close by—as near as 120 meters—using short pulses, and it also provides high sensitivity at longer distances using the compressed chirped waveform, improving its versatile capabilities in observing atmospheric elements.

How do the flat plate slotted waveguide array antennas on the UW King Air research aircraft (UWKA) enhance the data collection of the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR)?

Flat plate slotted waveguide array antennas, each 14 cm in diameter, are arranged to provide interleaved profiling above and below the UW King Air research aircraft (UWKA). This arrangement enables the Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) to capture a comprehensive view of the atmospheric column. This setup enhances data resolution and accuracy, ensuring that the KPR can be optimized for various research objectives and atmospheric conditions, leading to more reliable and thorough atmospheric data.

Why is a 10W solid-state power amplifier important for the functionality of the University of Wyoming's airborne Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR)?

The University of Wyoming's airborne Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) transmits signals that are boosted by a 10W solid-state power amplifier. This amplification is essential for ensuring that the signal has sufficient power to penetrate clouds and detect precipitation effectively. The enhanced signal strength allows for the collection of detailed, high-resolution data on cloud and precipitation processes, improving our comprehension of weather phenomena and predictive abilities for future weather patterns.