Successes in NEXRAD Algorithm Technology
Transfer*
Gabe Elkin 26 Aug 2015
*This work was sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration under Air Force Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the United States Government.
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 2 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
NEXRAD – WSR-88D Next Generation Weather Surveillance Radar
• FAA NEXRAD Program Office funding Lincoln Laboratory’s NEXRAD Algorithm Enhancements Program since 2001
– Eight algorithms developed with seven operational products currently fielded
– 35+ algorithm enhancements as NEXRAD evolves
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 3 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
Dual Pol DQA
NEXRAD Enhancements Benefit FAA Systems
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017
High Resolution
VIL
High Resolution Enhanced Echo Tops
Data Quality Assurance
(DQA)
DQA Edited Reflectivity
Machine Intelligent Gust Front Algorithm
Partial Beam Blockage Mitigation
Chaff, Sea Clutter
Dual Pol Hail Hazard Layers
Dual Pol Icing Hazard Levels
Microburst Detection
VIL = Vertically Integrated Liquid
RAPT
FAA Systems
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 4 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
NEXRAD Technology Development and Transfer
Requirement identification (microbursts,
icing detection, …)
User community
Lincoln technology solution development
External acceptance test (Radar Operations Center)
Integration and
deployment
Live feeds and archives (160 radars)
Pilot report
database
In situ flight data collection
Surface and upper air
observations
Lincoln Operational Radar Product Generator Network
Production algorithms
Analysis and verification testbed
Prototype algorithms
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 5 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
Collaborative Tech Transfer Cycle Enabled by CODE* Environment
Functionality Solution
Implement Solution in
CODE
Upgrade Release
Software Review
Baseline Integration
Integration Review
Design Review
ROC reviews implementation
Technical Advisory Committee reviews science
LL designs and implements algorithm
LL and ROC add new
functionality to CODE to support
implementation
LL exposes algorithm to weather in
CODE testbed
Software Recommendation and Evaluation Committee reviews
implementation
ROC reviews integration readiness
LL supports ROC integration activities
ROC releases synched ORPG and
CODE at 12-18 month intervals
New ORPG Capability
Testing Evaluation
Science Review
ROC = Radar Operations Center *CODE = Common Operations and Development Environment
NextGen Prototype
LL primary role
ROC primary role
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 6 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
Recent Accomplishments
In-situ verification flight tests Microburst detection algorithm deployment
Dual-pol hydrometeor classification and melting layer improvements
Icing layer improvements deployed and operational
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 7 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
Recent Tech Transfer Example Icing Hazard Level Detection
GRAUPEL
Supercooled water (icing threat)
causes riming
• Crystal habit microphysics identifies key region (blue) of icing hazard concern for aircraft
• Graupel particles represent distinct “low hanging fruit” for dual pol radar detection of icing hazard regions
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 8 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
NEXRAD Icing Product Example Plan view
NOAA RAP Vertical profile model interest (temperature,
relative humidity)
Vertical profile
High icing potential
Low icing potential
IHL = Icing Hazard Levels Product
Altit
ude
(kft)
Pittsburgh, PA (KPBZ)
24 February 2012 0509 UTC
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 9 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
Verification and Shortfall Identification
Surface and Upper Air Observations
In Situ Measurements Pilot Reports of Icing (PIREPs)
Particle Imager
NEXRAD Tech Transfer - 10 GE/DJS 9/4/2015
• MIT Lincoln Laboratory has a 15 year history of delivering operational NEXRAD algorithm products
• Multiple FAA weather systems ingest the NEXRAD products to support operations in the NAS
• The dual polarization capability has given new opportunity to develop advanced radar-based hazard detection
• Anticipate additional detection capabilities through the next five years supporting launch of NextGen Weather Processor
Summary