Recent Progress in Dual-Polarization Radar Research and Applications in China

Dual-polarization(dual-pol)radar can measure additional parameters that provide more microphysical information of precipitation systems than those provided by conventional Doppler radar.The dual-pol parameters have been successfully utilized to investigate precipitation microphysics and improve radar quantitative precipitation estimation(QPE).The recent progress in dual-pol radar research and applications in China is summarized in four aspects.Firstly,the characteristics of several representative dual-pol radars are reviewed.Various approaches have been developed for radar data quality control,including calibration,attenuation correction,calculation of specific differential phase shift,and identification and removal of non-meteorological echoes.Using dual-pol radar measurements,the microphysical characteristics derived from raindrop size distribution retrieval,hydrometeor classification,and QPE is better understood in China.The limited number of studies in China that have sought to use dual-pol radar data to validate the microphysical parameterization and initialization of numerical models and assimilate dual-pol data into numerical models are summarized.The challenges of applying dual-pol data in numerical models and emerging technologies that may make significant impacts on the field of radar meteorology are discussed.

Identification and Removal of Non-meteorological Echoes in Dual-polarization Radar Data Based on a Fuzzy Logic Algorithm

A major issue in radar quantitative precipitation estimation is the contamination of radar echoes by non-meteorological targets such as ground clutter,chaff,clear air echoes etc.In this study,a fuzzy logic algorithm for the identification of non-meteorological echoes is developed using optimized membership functions and weights for the dual-polarization radar located at Mount Sobaek.For selected precipitation and non-meteorological events,the characteristics of the precipitation and non-meteorological echo are derived by the probability density functions of five fuzzy parameters as functions of reflectivity values.The membership functions and weights are then determined by these density functions.Finally,the nonmeteorological echoes are identified by combining the membership functions and weights.The performance is qualitatively evaluated by long-term rain accumulation.The detection accuracy of the fuzzy logic algorithm is calculated using the probability of detection（POD）,false alarm rate（FAR）,and clutter–signal ratio（CSR）.In addition,the issues in using filtered dual-polarization data are alleviated.

Experimental Research of Dual-Polarization Passive Radar Based on DTTB Signal

The passive radar is a hot research topic. A multi-channel wideband passive radar experimental system is designed and the digital television terrestrial broadcasting (DTTB) signal is chosen to carry out the target detection experiment of civil aviation aircraft. The polarization and spatial filtering methods are used to solve the strong direct path interference suppression problems brought by the receiving system location;combined with the characteristics of DTTB signal, the block length selection interval in the block batch processing method for range-Doppler images calculation is given;the clutter suppression performance is compared through the experimental data receiving from different bistatic polarization channels, the conclusion is different from the monostatic radar and it can guide the passive radar experiment.

Measurements of ocean wave and current field using dual polarized X-band radar

A new ocean wave and sea surface current monitoring system with horizontally-(HH) and vertically-(VV) polarized X-band radar was developed.Two experiments into the use of the radar system were carried out at two sites,respectively,for calibration process in Zhangzi Island of the Yellow Sea,and for validation in the Yellow Sea and South China Sea.Ocean wave parameters and sea surface current velocities were retrieved from the dual polarized radar image sequences based on an inverse method.The results obtained from dual-polarized radar data sets acquired in Zhangzi Island are compared with those from an ocean directional buoy.The results show that ocean wave parameters and sea surface current velocities retrieved from radar image sets are in a good agreement with those observed by the buoy.In particular,it has been found that the vertically-polarized radar is better than the horizontally-polarized radar in retrieving ocean wave parameters,especially in detecting the significant wave height below 1.0 m.

Evaluating the Algorithm for Correction of the Bright Band Effects in QPEs with S-, C-and X-Band Dual-Polarized Radars

The bright band, a layer of enhanced radar reflectivity associated with melting ice particles, is a major source of significant overestimation in quantitative precipitation estimation(QPE) based on the Z–R(reflectivity factor–rain rate) relationship.The effects of the bright band on radar-based QPE can be eliminated by vertical profile of reflectivity(VPR) correction. In this study, we applied bright-band correction algorithms to evaluate three different bands(S-, C-and X-band) of dual-polarized radars and to reduce overestimation errors in Z–R relationship–based QPEs. After the reflectivity was corrected by the algorithms using average VPR(AVPR) alone and a combination of average VPR and the vertical profile of the copolar correlation coefficient(AVPR+CC), the QPEs were derived. The bright-band correction and resulting QPEs were evaluated in eight precipitation events by comparing to the uncorrected reflectivity and rain-gauge observations, separately. The overestimation of Z–R relationship–based QPEs associated with the bright band was reduced after correction by the two schemes for which hourly rainfall was less than 5 mm. For the verification metrics of RMSE(root-mean-square error), RMAE(relative mean absolute error) and RMB(relative mean bias) of QPEs, averaged over all eight cases, the AVPR method improved from 2.28,0.94 and 0.78 to 1.55, 0.60 and 0.40, respectively, while the AVPR+CC method improved to 1.44, 0.55 and 0.30, respectively.The QPEs after AVPR+CC correction had less overestimation than those after AVPR correction, and similar conclusions were drawn for all three different bands of dual-polarized radars.

Statistics-based Optimization of the Polarimetric Radar Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm and Its Application for a Squall Line in South China

A modified hydrometeor classification algorithm （HCA） is developed in this study for Chinese polarimetric radars. This algorithm is based on the U.S. operational HCA. Meanwhile, the methodology of statistics-based optimization is proposed including calibration checking, datasets selection, membership functions modification, computation thresholds modification, and effect verification. Zhuhai radar, the first operational polarimetric radar in South China, applies these procedures. The systematic bias of calibration is corrected, the reliability of radar measurements deteriorates when the signal-to-noise ratio is low, and correlation coefficient within the melting layer is usually lower than that of the U.S. WSR-88D radar. Through modification based on statistical analysis of polarimetric variables, the localized HCA especially for Zhuhai is obtained, and it performs well over a one-month test through comparison with sounding and surface observations. The algorithm is then utilized for analysis of a squall line process on 11 May 2014 and is found to provide reasonable details with respect to horizontal and vertical structures, and the HCA results---especially in the mixed rain-hail region--can reflect the life cycle of the squall line. In addition, the kinematic and microphysical processes of cloud evolution and the differences between radar- detected hail and surface observations are also analyzed. The results of this study provide evidence for the improvement of this HCA developed specifically for China.

Multiple interferences suppression with space-polarization null-decoupling for polarimetric array

The adaptive digital beamforming technique in the space-polarization domain suppresses the interference with forming the coupling nulls of space and polarization domain.When there is the interference in mainlobe,it will cause serious mainlobe distortion,that the target detection suffers from.To overcome this problem and make radar cope with the complex multiple interferences scenarios,we propose a multiple mainlobe and/or sidelobe interferences suppression method for dual polarization array radar.Specifically,the proposed method consists of a signal preprocessing based on the proposed angle estimation with degree of polarization(DoP),and a filtering criterion based on the proposed linear constraint.The signal preprocessing provides the accurate estimated parameters of the interference,which contributes to the criterion for null-decoupling in the space-polarization domain of mainlobe.The proposed method can reduce the mainlobe distortion in the space-polarization domain while suppressing the multiple mainlobe and/or sidelobe interferences.The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulations.

A New Dual Polarized Aperture-Coupled Printed Array for SAR Applications

This paper presents a new design of dual polarized aperture coupled printed antenna array. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) analysis of an aperture coupled microstrip element is performed, and the effects of antenna parameters on its characteristics are obtained to guide the design of the printed array. Then an 8×2 dual polarized array design in X band is introduced with configuration plots. In order to improve its isolation and cross polarization, an outphase displacement feeding technique is adopted in the feed network. Also, the round bends are used instead of conventional right angle bends so as to achieve better VSWR performance. Experimental results are presented, indicating the validity of the design. This dual polarized array can be applied as a sub array of spaceborne SAR systems.

Broadband printed antennas and dual-polarized microstrip and waveguide slot antenna arrays

In order to meet the urgent needs in wireless communications, microwave image synthetic aperture radars （SAR）, and electronic warfare systems, this dissertation studies several types of broadband dual-polarized planar antenna elements and arrays, and proposes a few of novel designs with experimental verification. The main accomplishments reported in the dissertation are as follows.

安徽省燃气炮人工增雨作业效果综合评估

选取2021—2023年安徽省81次燃气炮作业的双偏振天气雷达、雨量计等多源观测数据,综合评估燃气炮作业增雨效果并分析可能机理。结果显示:在降水开始前作业个例增雨效果较好,并伴有水平反射率因子Z_(H)、差分反射率Z_(DR)的增加和共极化相关系数ρ_(hv)的减少;降水开始后作业增雨效果欠佳。使用携带暖云催化剂的燃气炮作业后云体变化主要在零度层以下,且维持时间较短;使用携带冷云催化剂的燃气炮作业后暖云区和冷云区均有明显变化,且作业影响持续时间更长。燃气炮作业过程中雷达速度谱宽增大,可能是作业引起气流涡旋的增加所导致。统计结果显示:增雨的显著性与作业时长呈负相关,作业时长与Z_(DR)增量呈负相关,过量播撒会导致减雨;增雨的显著性与作业前影响区雨量呈负相关;增雨量与Z_(H)、中低层风速、风切变呈正相关,与高层风速呈负相关。

基于ECOC平衡随机森林的雷达降水粒子分类

针对数据不平衡情况下的降水粒子分类问题,提出了一种基于纠错输出码(error correcting output code,ECOC)平衡随机森林的双偏振气象雷达降水粒子分类方法。首先,将多类别降水粒子数据集编码为多个二分类数据集;然后,对二分类数据集进行有放回的平衡重采样,构建多棵分类回归树;最后,利用所有的分类回归树联合进行降水粒子分类。对实测数据的处理结果表明,所提方法能够在保证总体准确率较高的情况下,大幅提高少数类的分类效果。

基于KA-SRCN-pSTAP的低空风切变风速估计方法

针对由于独立同分布(IID)样本严重不足,导致极化空时自适应(pSTAP)处理性能下降,进而导致低空风切变风速估计不准确的问题,本文提出了一种基于知识辅助的稀疏表示杂波零陷极化空时自适应(KA-SRCN-pSTAP)的低空风切变风速估计方法。该方法首先利用杂波脊的先验知识辅助构造极化空时稀疏字典,然后利用极化空时稀疏字典,通过SRCN算法挑选原子并对到杂波线性子空间补空间上的投影矩阵进行估计,从而得到pSTAP权矢量,最后构造pSTAP滤波器对地杂波进行抑制,准确估计低空风切变风速。该方法仅使用少量IID样本,将SRCN算法与极化-空时域相结合,完成对风切变风速的有效估计。仿真实验结果证明该方法可以有效实现少样本情况下的风速准确估计。

山东一次典型持续冰雹过程的闪电活动和雷达特征分析

2020年6月1日下午至夜间,山东部分地区出现降雹天气,利用卫星和雷达以及闪电探测资料详细分析此次降雹过程的闪电和雷达参量特征。结果表明:(1)鲁北和鲁中雹暴闪电活动的主要差异为:鲁中雹暴的对流强度强于鲁北雹暴,其正地闪比例和正地闪平均强度明显高于鲁北雹暴。其相同特征为:在开始阶段正地闪比例和云闪占总闪电的比例较高;在地面降雹开始之前总闪电频数均出现跃增,其峰值提前降雹6~18 min,同时云闪表现更加活跃;地面出现降雹之后,云闪频数快速下降,地闪占总闪电比增加,甚至超过50%。(2)雹暴的闪电活动均发生在云顶温度小于-50℃的云区内,且密集出现在云顶温度小于-60℃的范围内。闪电主要发生在30 dBZ以上回波区域,密集的云闪对应强对流区,表明云内垂直运动剧烈。负地闪与差分相移率KDP>0.5 (°)·km-1和差分反射率ZDR>2.0 dB的区域对应关系非常一致,表明负地闪与强降水区密切相关。雹暴回波穹隆区的ZDR值较高、零滞后相关系数(Cc)值较低,很好地指示了上升气流区。较高的水平反射率因子(ZH)和较低的Cc以及较低的ZDR区域对应冰雹粒子区域。闪电很好地对应于云内霰、湿雪、冰雹、干雪等大的冰相粒子区。(3)0℃以上ZDR≥1.0 dB的体积、ZH≥30 dBZ的体积、ZH≥30 dBZ的冰水含量与总闪电频数的时间演变趋势基本一致,其与总闪电频数的相关系数分别为0.756、0.780和0.710,进一步证实大的冰相粒子在起电过程中发挥着主导作用。

上海青浦CINRAD/SAD雷达和南汇WSR-88D雷达数据对比分析

上海青浦CINRAD/SAD雷达和南汇WSR-88D雷达型号不同,并且采用不同的双偏振技术升级方案,实际业务运行中2部雷达存在一定的数据偏差。为了对雷达的探测性能进行定量评估,在共同探测区域遴选2022年7—9月及2023年6月共30个过程3933个时次数据,以稳定性降水与对流性降水分类并按强度分级进行对比,评估了反射率因子Z_(H),差分反射率Z_(DR),相关系数C_(C)和差分传播相移Φ_(DP)的水平分布特征及随方位变化趋势,雷达灵敏度随仰角变化趋势以及Z_(H)和Z_(DR)偏差的定量统计。结果表明:2部雷达Z_(H)的观测结果接近,青浦CINRAD/SAD雷达的Z_(H),C_(C)和Φ_(DP)受地物及避雷针影响较大,随方位变化不稳定,青浦CINRAD/SAD雷达在低层的非气象回波滤除效果较南汇WSR-88D雷达差。2部雷达Z_(H)和Z_(DR)的偏差在Z_(H)大于40 dBz的区域较大,Z_(H)平均偏差为0.9 dB,Z_(DR)为-0.14 dB。本文基于台风、冰雹、短时强降水和梅雨降水数据,定量化评估了上海2部S波段双偏振天气雷达数据之间的差异,为后续算法改进以及数据订正提供参考。

广东省一次飞机暖云催化响应的双偏振雷达观测分析

为研究飞机暖云焰剂催化后云系发生的物理响应,利用汕尾市双偏振雷达观测量及反演的云微物理特征参量,结合大气环境场探测数据,对2020年8月30日在广东省汕尾市北部区域实施的催化过程进行了分析,结果显示:这次过程是盛夏季节副高边缘的一次以暖云降水为主的对流性降水过程,天气尺度系统强迫较弱,大气层结不稳定,但水汽不充沛。在积云发展的暖云阶段引入吸湿性催化剂,16 min之后,暖云云系体积开始增加,差分反射率因子、差分相移率、雨水含量及降水强度的平均值都有明显增长,雨滴尺度增大、浓度明显增加,雨滴质量平均直径(D_(m))和表征雨滴数浓度的标准化参数(lgNW)增长幅度分别达到10.3%和39.5%,云系维持了大约1.5 h。吸湿性核先在催化层附近吸收水汽增长为数量众多的小云滴,与自然对流发展伴随的上升气流加强相互叠加,增强了云滴的碰并过程。众多小雨滴被上升气流带入0℃层之上使过冷雨滴短暂增多,促进了霰粒子的生成。

藏东南墨脱地区降水特征分析

墨脱位于藏东南雅鲁藏布大峡谷水汽通道入口处,是青藏高原年降水量最多的地区。本研究使用墨脱云降水综合观测试验以来三年(2019—2021年)的自动雨量计数据,分析了墨脱降水的月变化和日变化特征。然后基于同址的降水天气现象仪和X波段双偏振相控阵雷达观测数据,探究墨脱两次强降水过程的发展演变特征。结果表明:从统计结果来看,墨脱降水天数超过全年的70%,以降水率<5 mm·h^(-1)的弱降雨为主,日降水量<10 mm的小雨的发生率最高,但10 mm≤日降水量<25 mm的中雨产生的降水量最大。墨脱降水存在明显的月变化和日变化特征,受印度洋季风影响,降水主要发生在6—9月。受山谷风影响,降水主要发生在夜间。对于降水过程而言,由高原涡和南支槽影响下的系统性暴雨,范围大、持续时间长,降水主要由直径小于2 mm的雨滴产生,雷达反射率因子普遍不超过35 dBz。而由地形强迫引起的局地短时强对流降水过程,雨滴谱分布更宽,雨滴浓度更高,直径大于2 mm的雨滴对降水量的贡献最大,雷达反射率因子超过45 dBz,风暴的后向传播形成“列车效应”。

“12·14雷打雪”过程的闪电特征及成因

2023年12月14日在山西和河北南部、河南北部、山东西部出现一次大到暴雪过程,并伴随频繁的闪电活动。利用欧洲中期天气预报中心(European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts,ECMWF)第五代大气再分析(ECMWF Reanalysis v5,ERA5)资料以及闪电、大气电场仪、双偏振多普勒天气雷达等观测资料对此次“雷打雪”天气过程进行详细分析,得到以下研究结果:(1)此次“雷打雪”是一次明显的高架对流天气过程,低层一直存在逆温层,850~600 hPa为显著的暖湿平流,925 hPa以下近地面东北风形成的“冷垫”楔入到条件性对称不稳定层结下方,抬升暖湿空气,触发对流天气,释放不稳定能量,产生较强的上升运动。(2)降雪过程的雷电活动比较活跃,闪电频数高达99次·(10 min)^(-1),云闪和地闪比例为1.7∶1,正地闪的占比为19.4%。此次“雷打雪”天气过程的闪电空间分布和走向与强降雪落区表现出良好的一致性,闪电密集区域对应强降雪区域,74%的暴雪站周围30 km范围内出现闪电,100%的大暴雪站周围30 km内发生了闪电。(3)高空正K_(DP)区域与地面降水率的增大密切相关。总闪电与6 km等高层雷达回波的空间一致性很好,基本分布在大于20 dBZ的云区内,闪电落区的回波顶高几乎都在5 km以上。雷达发现在5~8 km的高度范围出现Z_(DR)和K_(DP)的正值区,揭示云内存在明显的垂直上升运动和过冷却液态水,存在良好云内起电条件,结合地面电场观测资料和闪电资料,推测此次降雪云系的电荷结构为上正下负的电荷结构。

雨滴谱数据在S波段双偏振天气雷达数据质量评估中的应用

结合T-Matrix方法和雨滴谱仪数据反演双偏振参量,设计了一种雨滴谱反演评估方法(雨滴谱法),利用其反演结果可对双偏振天气雷达数据进行评估。将此方法应用于不同类型降水过程的雷达偏振参量数据质量评估,结果表明:满足微雨条件时,雨滴谱法与传统的微雨滴法均能有效监测由雷达系统误差导致的观测偏差,且评估结果十分接近;不满足微雨条件时,雨滴谱法评估的不同类型降水过程的雷达数据质量与满足微雨条件下的评估结果十分接近,客观证明了系统调整后雷达运行良好、数据质量稳定;不同雨强(R)情况下,雨滴谱法的评估结果具有一致性。10 mm·h^(-1)≤R<20 mm·h^(-1)时,雷达观测的数据质量最为稳定。该雨滴谱法适用范围广,可动态评估双偏振雷达偏振参量质量,有助于雷达调整和数据校正。

S波段与X波段天气雷达探测参量差异及组网融合处理研究

随着X波段双偏振雷达探测网的增多,与S波段双偏振雷达开展组网观测愈发具有必要性。利用北京地区2021年7月27日的一次强对流天气过程的观测资料,对X波段双偏振雷达组网观测值和S波段双偏振雷达观测值进行一致性定量分析,结果表明:两者观测的反射率因子(Z)一致性好,差分反射率(Z_(DR))差异集中在0 dB值附近,Z≥30 dBz时,差分相移率(K_(DP))差异显著。根据观测值差异特征,比较了探测参量直接融合和距离指数权重融合两种数据融合方式,通过分析偏振参量垂直剖面图发现,融合后可以相互弥补探测盲区,K_(DP)通过距离指数权重融合的方式过渡更加自然。本文融合效果可供不同波段雷达融合组网提供参考。

皖南初春平行线状对流系统引发的大暴雨分析

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