A dual frequency millimetre wave radar for cloud characterization

For a long period of time FHR is developing millimetre wave radars for airborne remote sensing applications, namely at 35 GHz and 94 GHz. While for these applications generally a high bandwidth is used to allow an adequate range resolution, the requirements for cloud radars are more directed towards an ultimate sensitivity and long range. Based upon this expertise investigations were done to develop a cloud radar at 220 GHz, which should be used simultaneously with respective radars at 35 GHz and 94 GHz. To gain experience with this topic, a 94 GHz-radar, which was formerly used for propagation experiments over long range, was modified and measurements on clouds were conducted. The radar to be developed shall mainly be used for investigations on snow clouds over relatively short range, and is not intended to be able to characterize Cirrus type clouds at high altitude.