Method and apparatus for an autonomous cloud radar

US6098018A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Department of Commerce · US

Inventors

• David C. Welsh · Broomfield, US
• David Merritt · Sugar Hill, US
• Anthony J. Francavilla · Broomfield, US
• Thomas Glaess · Westminster, US
• Sandy L. King · Broomfield, US
• Lingling Zhang · Columbia, US
• Kenneth Moran · Appleton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 8, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 1, 2000
• Expiry date: May 8, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/003
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A cloud radar apparatus is mounted on a portable containerized unit, a number of which may be located at various positions throughout the planet. Cloud radar data from each unit are periodically measured and stored and made available to researchers, upon request, through the Internet or other network. The system comprises two computers operating on different operating systems. A first computer uses a first operating system which allows it to readily interface with various radar equipment using an IEEE 488 interface or the like, to monitor the health of the equipment and operate the equipment. A second computer system uses a second operating system in a multi-user mode which allows it to readily access and manipulate data files and transfer data over the network. Communication between the two computers is achieved by allowing the first computer to log into the second computer as one of the multiple users. The first computer may upload data to the second computer using a FTP protocol or the like. A second user in the second computer may generate cloud radar images and apply calibration data to received data to produce calibrated data. A third user may be logged onto the second comput…