Abstract
This chapter describes some implementations and the conditions needed to observe clouds by weather radar, with a focus on sensitivity and wavelength usage. The radar reflectivity of a cloud is quite smaller when compared to that due to precipitation. The cloud radar needs high sensitivity, implemented by long pulse width with pulse compression, high transmitter power, short observation range, and short wavelength. Considering the Bragg scattering and transmissivity of the atmosphere, Ka- and W-bands are suitable for cloud observations. The chapter continues with a description of cloud radars, classified based on antenna scanning and capability, and a summary of their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, an example of recent observations using a dual-polarization scanning cloud radar system, and a discussion of results are presented.
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Acknowledgements
I am very grateful to Dr. Constantin Andronache for the chance to contribute this chapter and encouragement. I also thank all my colleagues in the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience for installation, operation and maintenance of the cloud radar network. Some X-band radar data used in this chapter are provided by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan via Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS), Japan.
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Maesaka, T. (2018). Cloud Radars. In: Andronache, C. (eds) Remote Sensing of Clouds and Precipitation. Springer Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72583-3_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72583-3_5
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