Accurate data and low maintenance costs have been the key goals in designing the new C-band weather radar. The unique antenna structure enables good cross polarization performance and detection of different types of precipitation such as light snow and drizzle.

Together with SIGMET Vaisala has designed radar systems with the most advanced technology available today including:

• High performance, precision low side lobe antenna with >32 dB cross pol isolation. The light-weight yoke design pedestal allows fast response and is less demanding for towers.
• Integrated receiver design with dual-stage IF to minimize RF interference.
• Dual-polarization with switching between STAR and LDR modes.
• Non-linear FM pulse compression for high average power/low peak power TWT systems.
• Phase coded velocity ambiguity resolution.
• GMAP™ adaptive ground clutter cancellation.
• HydroClass™ real time particle identification based on dual polarization measurements. 

Vaisala continues to invest in research and development. Exciting new techniques for:

• range and velocity ambiguity resolution
• rapid scan
• improved rainfall estimates and forecasts

are already under investigation both internally and with our various cooperative research partners.

Comparing and combining the different dual polarization parameters gives information on precipitation particle type and greatly improves data quality by isolating non-meterological targets such as sea clutter, chaff and birds. The example shows a sector PPI at 3.5 degrees elevation through a melting layer in stratiform precipitation. Parameters dBZ (left) Rho (center) and LDR (right). Note the LDR measurements in excess of 32 dB.