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Graduate Exam Abstract


Kumar Vijay Mishra

M.S. Final
June 15, 2012, 2:00 pm
Engineering D102
Frequency diversity wideband digital receiver and signal processor for solid-state dual-polarimetric weather radars

Abstract: The recent spate in the use of solid-state transmitters for weather radar systems has unexceptionably revolutionized the research in meteorology. The solid-state transmitters allow transmission of low peak powers without losing the radar range resolution by allowing the use of pulse compression waveforms. In this research, a novel frequency-diversity wideband waveform is proposed and realized to extenuate the low sensitivity of solid-state radars and mitigate the blind range problem tied with the longer pulse compression waveforms. The latest developments in the computing landscape have permitted the design of wideband digital receivers which can process this novel waveform on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chips.

In terms of signal processing, wideband systems are generally characterized by the fact that the bandwidth of the signal of interest is comparable to the sampled bandwidth; that is, a band of frequencies must be selected and filtered out from a comparable spectral window in which the signal might occur. The development of such a wideband digital receiver opens a window for exciting research opportunities for improved estimation of precipitation measurements for higher frequency systems such as X, Ku and Ka bands, satellite-borne radars and other solid-state ground-based radars.

This research describes various unique challenges associated with the design of a multi-channel wideband receiver. The receiver consists of twelve channels which simultaneously downconvert and filter the digitized intermediate-frequency (IF) signal for radar data processing. The product processing for the multi-channel digital receiver mandates a software and network architecture which provides for generating and archiving a single meteorological product profile culled from multi-pulse profiles at an increased data date. The multi-channel digital receiver also continuously samples the transmit pulse for calibration of radar receiver gain and transmit power.

The multi-channel digital receiver has been successfully deployed as a key component in the recently developed National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarization Doppler Radar (D3R). The D3R is the principal ground validation instrument for the precipitation measurements of the Dual Precipitation Radar (DPR) onboard the GPM Core Observatory satellite scheduled for launch in 2014. The D3R system employs two broadly separated frequencies at Ku- and Ka-bands that together make measurements for precipitation types which need higher sensitivity such as light rain, drizzle and snow. This research describes unique design space to configure the digital receiver for D3R at several processing levels. At length, this research presents analysis and results obtained by employing the multi-carrier waveforms for D3R during the 2012 GPM Cold-Season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx) campaign in Canada.


Adviser: Dr. V. Chandrasekar
Co-Adviser: N/A
Non-ECE Member: Dr. Paul W. Mielke Jr.
Member 3: Dr. Anura P. Jayasumana
Addional Members: N/A

Publications:
Kumar Vijay Mishra, V. Chandrasekar, Cuong Nguyen and Manuel Vega, "The Signal Processor System for the Solid-State NASA Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 22-27 2012, Munich, Germany.
Manuel Vega, V. Chandrasekar, Cuong Nguyen, Kumar Vijay Mishra and James Carswell, "Calibration of the NASA Dual-Frequency, Dual-Polarized, Doppler Radar (D3R)", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 22-27 2012, Munich, Germany.
V. Chandrasekar, Mathew Schwaller, Manuel Vega, James Carswell, Kumar Vijay Mishra, Alex Steinberg, Cuong Nguyen, Minda Le, Joseph Hardin, Francesc Junyent and Jim George, "Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar (D3R) System for GPM Ground Validation: Update and Recent Field Observations", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 22-27 2012, Munich, Germany.
Kumar Vijay Mishra and V. Chandrasekar, "Wind Turbine Backscatter Modeling and Analysis in a Networked Weather Radar Environment", 35th AMS Conference on Radar Meteorology, Sept 26-30 2011, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Cuong M. Nguyen, V. Chandrasekar, Kumar Vijay Mishra, and J. George, "Sensitivity enhancement system for pulse compression weather radar", 35th AMS Conference on Radar Meteorology, Sept 26-30 2011, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kumar Vijay Mishra, V. Chandrasekar, Cuong Nguyen and Manuel Vega, "Waveform Design and Implementation for the Solid-State NASA Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 24-29 2011, Vancouver, Canada.
Manuel Vega, Kumar Vijay Mishra, V. Chandrasekar, Mathew Schwaller and James Carswell, "Performance Characteristics of the NASA Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 24-29 2011, Vancouver, Canada.
Kumar Vijay Mishra and V. Chandrasekar, "Signal Analysis and Modeling of Wind Turbine Clutter in Weather Radars", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 25-30 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii.
V. Chandrasekar, Mathew Schwaller, Manuel Vega, James Carswell, Kumar Vijay Mishra, Robert Meneghini and Cuong Nguyen, "Scientific and Engineering Overview of the NASA Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar (D3R) System for GPM Ground Validation", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 25-30 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Manuel Vega, James Carswell, V. Chandrasekar, Mathew Schwaller and Kumar Vijay Mishra, "Realization of the NASA Dual-Frequency Dual-Polarized Doppler Radar (D3R)", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 25-30 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jim George, Kumar Vijay Mishra, Cuong Nguyen and V. Chandrasekar, "Implementation of Blind Zone and Range-Velocity Ambiguity Mitigation for Solid-State Weather Radar", IEEE International Radar Conference, May 10-14 2010, Washington DC.
Nitin Bharadwaj, Kumar Vijay Mishra and V. Chandrasekar, "Waveform Considerations for Dual-Polarization Doppler Weather Radar with Solid-State Transmitters", IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Jul 12-17 2009, Cape Town, South Africa.


Program of Study:
ECE512
ECE514
ECE549
ECE652
ECE699
MATH560
STAT525
STAT640