Software for Improved Processing of DRWP Signals

The Automated Adaptive Signal Processing (AASP) computer program extracts wind data from the outputs of Doppler-radar wind profilers (DRWPs). Unlike prior software used for this purpose, AASP does not rely on manual intervention to prevent a DRWP system from locking onto and tracking interfering signals (e.g., signals from side lobes of radar beams). AASP identifies interference signals in the range-gated spectra produced by a DRWP, then tracks the height- and time-continuous atmospheric signal in each radar beam. AASP then combines the radial velocity components from three or five beams and computes the horizontal and vertical wind components. AASP produces high-quality wind profiles within a single radar cycle, without need for averaging for quality control. It also calculates an indication of the level of confidence with each wind estimate. The single-cycle capability enables users to detect temporal shifts in wind earlier and with greater confidence than was possible by use of prior software. AASP comprises two coupled software subsystems: (1) a subsystem that implements signal-processing algorithms and (2) a subsystem that provides a quality-control capability and that generates displays of spectra, of wind estimates, and of the performances of the DRWP hardware.