Transportable multi-beam Doppler polarimetric radar

TARA (transportable atmospheric radar), a unique radar system developed at the International Research Centre for Telecommunication transmission and Radar (IRCTR) of Delft University of Technology, can be used to observe the formation of precipitation and various other physical processes that occur in clouds. This provides important information that is used to map effects of global warming on the world´s climate. The Delft radar system is sensitive enough to detect turbulent airflows. TARA may therefore be used to improve safety near airports. The TARA antenna system consists of a hybrid feed array in combination with a precision reflector to obtain instantaneous high-resolution, three-dimensional, dynamic measurements of wind and rain. The paper summarizes TARA´s basic principles illustrated with initial measurements.