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Forward and Backscattering Measurements of Rainfall using the NASA Microwave LinkThis paper will present results from a study on the feasibility of making backscatter measurements from rainfall with the NASA/Microwave Link system at Wallops Island, VA. The study entails the implementation of an FMCW radar at the Link frequencies to enable simultaneous forward and backscatter measurements from rain. The Microwave Link system has been successfully employed in the development and testing of rainfall retrieval techniques. As presently configured, the Microwave Link measures attenuation and phase-shift due to rain over a 2.3 km path between the transmitting and receiving antennas. By their very nature, these measured quantities are averaged over the propagation path. As a result, the rainfall estimates obtained from the Link data are also averaged over the propagation path. However, rainfall is a highly variable process in space (as well as time). In order to gain a more detailed knowledge of its microphysics finer spatial resolutions are required. The backscatter measurements would enable range profiling over the Link path permitting a detailed study of the rainfall process. The backscatter measurements will be used in conjunction with the forward measurements and the measurements from a ground-based network of disdrometers and rain gauges located under the propagation path to develop new microwave retrieval techniques, and to test established single-frequency and dual-frequency radar retrieval algorithms relevant to the ongoing TRMM and up coming GPM missions.
Document ID
20040171597
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rincon, Rafael F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lang, Roger
(George Washington Univ. Washington, DC, United States)
Meneghini, Robert
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2004 IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
Location: Anchorage, AK
Country: United States
Start Date: September 20, 2004
End Date: September 24, 2004
Sponsors: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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