Data quality analysis and enhancement of an airborne weather radar for scientific and multi-mission operations

This paper describes the signal processing framework for scientific application of an airborne radar originally used for aviation hazard monitoring. The specific radar being developed is the “PARADOX” radar, which is based on the GSX-70 and GSX-80 radar system hardware from Garmin International. The processing framework is designed to enhance the resolution, improve signal processing, and achieve “research-grade” data quality control for both application domains. The processing framework is also applicable to other multi-mission radars that seek optimal weather measurement performance using hardware designed for other functions. A validation method of the processing framework through case analysis and comparison with ground-based radar measurements is described.