Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997jastp..59.1035p&link_type=abstract
Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, v. 59, p. 1035-1048.
Physics
1
Scientific paper
VHF coherent radar observations of the high latitude ionosphere have contributed significantly to our understanding of the complex processes which couple the ionosphere, magnetosphere and the solar wind. In addition, these observations have also improved our knowledge of the physics of the ionospheric plasma irregularities and their scattering properties. In this article the design of a new mobile coherent radar system is described. The new system, RAPIER (Relocatable Auroral Polar Ionospheric Radar), was initially collocated with the existing SABRE radar and simultaneous operations undertaken to evaluate RAPIER's performance in its beam scanning mode. In this way the performance of the new system was quantitatively compared with that of a well established auroral radar facility. The velocities measured by the new RAPIER system are well correlated with those observed by SABRE. The received backscatter powers observed by the two systems were, however, less well correlated, mainly caused by differences between their respective antenna elevation polar diagrams. As expected from system considerations, SABRE was found to be more sensitive than RAPIER at slant ranges corresponding to the maxima in the SABRE elevation polar diagrams. However, RAPIER's improved elevation polar diagram, superior instantaneous dynamic range and its ability to alter its receiver gain with pointing direction ensured that it could accurately measure targets over a much greater spatial region than SABRE. This effect became more pronounced when regions of intense backscatter were monitored.
Chapman P. J.
Jones Bernard T.
Popple M.
Thomas Christopher E.
No associations
LandOfFree
RAPIER: a new relocatable VHF coherent radar does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with RAPIER: a new relocatable VHF coherent radar, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and RAPIER: a new relocatable VHF coherent radar will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1475866