NPOL
Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics
Figure 1: NPOL
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| frequency: | 2 700 … 2 900 MHz
(S-Band) |
| pulse repetition time (PRT): | |
| pulse repetition frequency (PRF): | 250 … 2 000 Hz |
| pulsewidth (τ): | 0.8 … 2 µs |
| receiving time: | |
| dead time: | |
| peak power: | 850 kW |
| average power: | |
| instrumented range: | |
| range resolution: | |
| accuracy: | 0.1° |
| beamwidth: | 0.95° |
| hits per scan: | |
| antenna rotation: | |
| MTBCF: | |
| MTTR: | |
NPOL
NPOL (NASA Polarimetric precipitation radar) is operating in the S-Band, research grade, transportable dual-polarimetric radar first developed in 2001 by a research team from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. It is used to make accurate volumetric measurements of precipitation including rainfall rate, particle size distributions, water contents and precipitation type. The radar uses a magnetron-transmitter with a solid-state pulse modulator. The antenna has a prime-focus parabolic reflector which is 8.5 m in diameter. The NPOL underwent a complete antenna system upgrade in 2010 and is housed on five intermodal containers.