A discussion on improving typhoon observation through radar by scanning the negative elevation angle

Certain feasibilities and features were discussed in typhoon detection by radar with a negative elevation angle according to the relationship between the remote detecting range and the elevation angle of the new generation weather radar, in order to rectify the disadvantages of detecting capability for remote low-level echo with a lowest elevation angle of 0.5° in the common detecting mode. The data obtained from detecting the typhoon of Haitang and Changmi with radar for their negative elevation angles and the observed data for the common lowest elevation angle of 0.5° were compared to each other. The results showed that the detection of remote low level cloud system with radar could be improved by using the negative elevation angle, and the structure and the evolution trend of a typhoon could be better judged. The increasing degree of detection for negative elevation angles in the current volume scanning mode should be helpful for predicting the intensity and developing trend of windstorms, to further improve the capability of warning and nowcasting. The detection of negative elevation angle could also help reveal the development and change of typhoon＇s low level cloud system. As far as the typhoons of Haitang and Changmi were concerned, the detecting area of Changmi was increased by 1.09 times with the negative elevation angle of 0.31°, compared with the elevation angle of 0.48° if the threshold value for the sea echo within 100 km was eliminated. Several volume scans of Haitang were increased by 2.1%-7.9% for the negative elevation angle of 0.36° compared with the elevation angle of 0.49° . Therefore, the radar detecting capability of typhoons could be improved by the detection of negative elevation angles to some extent. This could make up for the disadvantages of a low detecting capability for remote low-level echo in the common detecting mode. At the same time, a negative elevation angle could be easily influenced by the ground clutter and the close sea wave clutter which interfered with the assessment of the typhoon structure at times. Assessing these advantages and disadvantages, some advantages for using negative elevation angle were discovered from the observation of the typhoons Haitang and Changmi, if the negative elevation angle with radar was selected reasonably in some conditions. As a result, a certain value arose for improving and monitoring the early warning system for typhoons, paying close attention to the detection of negative elevation angles.

Discussion about the Application of CINRAD / SA Radar Using Negative Elevation Angle Mode in Observation of Tropical Cyclone

The study aimed to discuss the application of CINRAD/SA radar using negative elevation angle mode in observation of tropical cyclone. Firstly, the calculation formula of the lowest detecting height of CINRAD/SA radar was educed, and then the application of negative angle mode in Changle Radar Station was introduced. Through analyzing different observing abilities for tropical cyclone detected at different elevation angles, we discussed the limitation of CINRAD/SA radar using negative angle mode, and finally proposed some suggestions on CINRAD/SA radar using nega- tive elevation angle mode to observe tropical cyclone.

Dependence of epoch-wise two-way nested ANOVA estimates of variances of unmodeled effects present in relative GPS positioning on satellite elevation cutoff angle and PDOP mask

Impact of satellite elevation cutoff angle and position dilution of precision(PDOP)mask change on epoch-wise variance components of unmodeled effects that accompany relative Global Positioning System(GPS)positioning is presented herein.Data used for this study refer to the winter and summer periods of the years with minimal(2008)and maximal(2013)solar activity.These data were collected every 30 s in static mode,at two permanent GPS stations located in Montenegro,establishing a mediumdistance(116-km-long)baseline with a height difference of approximately 760 m between its endpoints.The study showed that changing satellite elevation cutoff angle,with a fixed PDOP mask,affects epochwise two-way nested ANOVA estimates of variances related to the‘far-field’multipath(considered as the nested factor herein)and the combined unmodeled effect of tropospheric and ionospheric refraction(considered as the nesting factor herein).However,changing of PDOP mask,with a fixed satellite elevation cutoff angle,doesn’t affect epoch-wise two-way nested ANOVA estimate of variance of the combined unmodeled effect of tropospheric and ionospheric refraction,but,generally,affects the estimate of variance of the‘far-field’multipath(possibly mixed with a part of a‘shorter-term’ionospheric refraction),which is especially pronounced for the summer period.It should also be noted that there is a significant influence of satellite elevation cutoff angle change on both epoch-wise horizontal and vertical position accuracy,only for the summer period,especially in the presence of maximal solar activity,while there is no significant impact of PDOP mask change on epoch-wise positional accuracy.

Angle Dependence Analysis Method to Determine SNRArc Applied to GNSSMRSea Level Retrieval

The Global Navigation Satellite Systems(GNSS)broadcast radio signals are continuously at two or more frequencies in the L-band,and the multipath signals from sea surface recorded by off-the-shelf geodetic receivers have been demonstrated they can be used to estimate sea level,using a technology called GNSS multipath reflectometry(GNSS-MR).Before proceeding to estimate reflection parameters,the azimuth range and elevation angle range are needed to be defined,as only with suitable azimuths and elevation angles the sensing zones can be guaranteed on water.So,this study presents an angle dependence analysis method to jointly select the azimuth range and elevation angle range based on wavelet analysis which can describe the nonstationary power of different sinusoidal oscillations changed with elevation angle.The key of this method is to use one grid model to screen the spectrum power of multipath oscillation on different elevation angles and azimuths in this work.Then the elevation angles and the azimuths can be determined by searching grids with greater power.The GPS and GLONASS data of two MultiGNSS Experiment(MGEX)stations named BRST and MAYG was analyzed and used to retrieve.Firstly,the angle dependence analysis was carried out to determine the elevation range and azimuth range.Secondly,the sea levels were retrieved from individual signals.Finally,the retrievals of individual signals are combined to form a 10-min sea level retrieval series.The RMSEs of the combined retrievals are both less than 15 cm.The results show the effectiveness of the selection of angle range based on the angle dependence analysis method.

Dynamic Variation and Simulation of Extinction Coefficient of Corn Population

[Objective] The aim was to study the dynamic variation of extinction coefficient of corn population, so as to improve the accuracy of assessment on net primary productivity （NPP） or yield. [Method] Based on the data of photosynthetic active radiation and leaf area index during corn growing season （from May to September） in 2006, observed in Jinzhou observation station of corn farmland ecosystem, China Meteorological Administration, the dynamic variation of extinction coefficient of corn population was analyzed. [Result] There was a great daily variation in the extinction coefficient of corn population during growing season, and the maximum value appeared from 7：00 to 9：00 and from 15：00 to 17：00, while the minimum could be found around 12：00, but the amplitude of variation decreased in tasseling stage. On a large time scale （5 d）, there was a parabolic relationship between extinction coefficient （K） and leaf area index （LAI）, with determination coefficient R2 of 0.960 7. The simulation equation of extinction coefficient, based on the sun elevation angle or leaf area index, had poor accuracy at various time during growing season, so a new dynamic model of extinction coefficient was established, namely K=λ（0.784 8-0.001 6θ）（0.154 8LAI2-0.558 6LAI＋0.654）. [Conclusion] The effect of sun elevation angle and leaf area index on extinction coefficient during corn growing season was considered in the new dynamic model of extinction coefficient, and its simulated result was superior to that of single-factor model.

Modified algorithm of combined GPS/GLONASS precise point positioning for applications in open-pit mines

A modified algorithm of combined GPS/GLONASS precise point positioning （GG-PPP） was developed by decreasing the number of unknowns to be estimated so that accurate position solutions can be achieved in the case of less number of visible satellites. The system time difference between GPS and GLONASS （STDGG） and zenith tropospheric delay （ZTD） values were firstly estimated in an open sky condition using the traditional GG-PPP algorithm. Then, they were used as a priori known values in the modified algorithm instead of estimating them as unknowns. The proposed algorithm was tested using observations collected at BJFS station in a simulated open-pit mine environment. The results show that the position filter converges much faster to a stable value in all three coordinate components using the modified algorithm than using the traditional algorithm. The modified algorithm achieves higher positioning accuracy as well. The accuracy improvement in the horizontal direction and vertical direction reaches 69% and 95% at a satellite elevation mask angle of 50°, respectively.

The Mechanics and Trajectory Control in Locust Jumping

Locusts （Locusta migratoria manilensis） are characterised by their flying ability and abiding jump ability. Research on the jumping mechanics and behavior of locusts plays an important role in elucidating the mechanism of hexapod locomotion. The jump gestures of locusts were observed using high-speed video camera at 250 fps. The reaction forces of the hindlegs were measured using two three-dimensional sensors, in case the two hindlegs attached on separated sensor plates. The jump gestures and reaction forces were used to illustrate the locust jumping mechanism. Results show that the trajectory control is achieved by rapid rolling and yawing movements of the locust body, caused by the forelegs, midlegs and hindlegs in different jumping phases. The final jump trajectory was not determined until hind tarsi left platform. The horizontal co-impulse between two hindlegs might play a key role in jump stability and accuracy. Besides, the angle between two hindlegs affects the control of jump trajectory but has a little effect on the elevation angle of a jump, which is controlled mechanically by the initial position of the hindlegs. This research lays the groundwork for the probable design and development ofbiomimetic robotics.

SNR periodical variation of Chang'E-3 spacecraft orbiting the Moon

Chang＇E-3 spacecraft was orbiting the Moon from December 6 14, 2013, and very long baseline interferometry （VLBI） observations were performed to improve the accuracy of its orbit determination. In the process of recording VLBI raw data, 2 bits quantization was implemented. Interesting phenomenon was that signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） of each VLBI station experienced periodical change and had large variation on amplitude while in the Moon＇s orbit, whereas SNR kept in a stable level after Chang＇E-3 landed on the Moon. Influence of varying elevation angle on SNR was analyzed and compensation of 2 bits quantization harmonics to SNR calculation was investigated. Most importantly, telescope system noise temperature increase caused by the Moon was computed along the time of Chang＇E-3 orbiting the Moon, and well matched SNR changing trend in terms of correlation coefficients.