3.

Radar Equation:
Reflectivity

INEL5607 Introduction to Radar

Meteorology
Prof. Leyda Len
OF332 X6197
Now
What is Radar Reflectivity?
Where Vc is the
contributing volume
The above equation applies
for a uniform beam.
 For a Gaussian beam, a correction
term 2ln(2) has to be added
Read Section 5.3 Bringi &Chandra
2001.
As contributing volume grows with distance, more targets
are added. Number of targets added is proportional to r2,
which reduces the dependence of the returned power
from r-4 to r-2.
From Distributed Targets to
Weather Radar equation
Now we link radar equation to distributed
weather targets!
#1Whats my target? SPHERES!
Small raindrops and cloud Spheres
droplets !"
Ellipsoids
Large raindrops !"
Varied shapes
Ice crystals !"
Can be
Graupel and rimed particles !" spherical

Hail ! May or may not

be spheres
 #2 They are Rayleigh Scatterers!

For an array of particles

Reflectivity factor?

Radar Reflectivity FACTOR! Z

Commonly expressed in logarithmic units!

THIS is what we see in weather

radars screen!
In general and back to radar
equation

We can combine this with the radar

equation!
The radar equation for weather
targets
 Reviewing:
1. The precipitation particles are homogeneous
dielectric spheres with diameters small compared
to the radar wavelength.
2. The particles are spread throughout the
contributing region. If not then the equation gives
an average reflectivity factor for the contributing
region.
3. The reflectivity factor Z is uniform throughout the
contributing region and constant over the period
of time needed to obtain the average value of the
received power.
 Cont

4. All of the particles have the same dielectric

factor; that is, they are all either water droplets or
ice particles.
5. The main lobe of the antenna is adequately
described by a Gaussian function.
6. Microwave attenuation over the distance between
the radar and the target is negligible.
7. Multiple scattering is negligible. Multiple
scattering and attenuation are related so if one is
true the other is too.
8. The incident and back-scattered waves are
linearly polarized.
 When this is not met

When the assumptions built into the radar

equation are NOT satisfied, Z is replaced
by the equivalent reflectivity factor and is
referred to as Ze
Reviewing units

One would think the

standard units of Z
would be m6/m3 = m3
BUT NO! The
standard units of Z is
[mm6/m3]
If these units are not
used, you will be off
by 10-18
Some weather
echoes
Echo Z [mm6/m3] dBZ
Giant Hail 31,622,777 75dBZ
Heavy Rain 100,000 45-50dBZ
Snow 316 25dBZ
Haze 0.001585 -28dBZ
 Hail Storm over Aasco
Date: Sept 11, 2014 Time:17:26:06 UTC

TropiNet Cabo Rojo

TropiNet Cabo Rojo NEXRAD

 Other CASES Hail Storm over Multiple
Locations Date: Sept 12, 2014 Time:18:06:16 UTC
http://www.radar-sales.com/PDFs/Performance_RDR%26TDR.pdf
http://www.rapidtables.com/
electric/dBm.htm
 Taking into account the losses
Due to coupler losses, waveguide losses, and
receiver losses. i.e. RX has a finite bandwidth
(typically 20-30 MHz) to limit the noise power
of the receiver.

Where Lm and Lr as expressed as

dimensionless numbers less than unity (Lm as
the power loss associated with antenna,
coupler and waveguide losses Lr the loss in the
receiver). Express all units in the MKS system
to use this equation. Radians are used for the
antenna beamwidth inputs.
MKS: Meter-Kilogram-Second