Validation of the radiation pattern of the Middle Atmosphere Alomar Radar System (MAARSY)

[摘要] In 2009/2010 the Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) installed anew powerful VHF radar on the island Andøya in Northern Norway(69.30° N, 16.04° E). The Middle Atmosphere Alomar RadarSystem (MAARSY) allows studies with high spatial and temporal resolution inthe troposphere/lower stratosphere and in the mesosphere/lower thermosphereof the Arctic atmosphere. The monostatic radar is operated at53.5 MHz with an active phased array antenna consisting of 433 Yagiantennas. Each individual antenna is connected to its own transceiver withindependent phase control and a scalable power output of up to 2 kW,which implies high flexibility of beam forming and beam steering. During thedesign phase of MAARSY several model studies have been carried out in orderto estimate the radiation pattern for various combinations of beam formingand steering. However, parameters like mutual coupling, active impedance andground parameters have an impact on the radiation pattern, but can hardly bemeasured. Hence, experiments need to be designed to verify the model results.For this purpose, the radar has occasionally been used in passive mode,monitoring the noise power received from both distinct cosmic noise sourceslike e.g. Cassiopeia A and Cygnus A, and the diffuse cosmic backgroundnoise. The analysis of the collected dataset enables us to verify beamforming and steering attempts. These results document the current status ofthe radar during its development and provide valuable information for furtherimprovement.

[学科分类] 电子、光学、磁材料