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PX-1000

Polarimetric X-band 1000
PX-1000 is a transportable, solid-state, polarimetric (independent H/V channels) radar providing educators and students with a unique and versatile approach to data collection for meteorological and radar engineering research.

System Overview

Designed, fabricated, and operated by ARRC, the PX-1000's dual-channel independent transmit chain opens up possibilities of novel waveform diversity for improving polarimetric radar quality. In addition to advanced signal processing developments such as spectral analysis and adaptive clutter filtering, real-time acquisition of time-series data also facilitates pulse compression development, for example. The PX-1000 is well suited for long-term field campaigns.

System characteristics

  • Radiating Center Height is 8 feet AGL (2.5 m)
  • 400 W total peak power using two 200-W solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA)
    • Original power: 200-W using two 100-W SSPAs
    • Upgraded to 400-W in 2015.
  • Operation frequency is 9550 MHz (X-band)
    • Wavelength: 3.14 cm
    • Pulse length: 1-70 μsec
    • Pulse repetition frequency: 1-2000 Hz
  • 1.24-m Parabolic reflector by Seavey Engineering
    • 1.8° beamwidth @ -3 dB points
    • Gain: 38.5 dBi
    • Sidelobe level: Better than -26 dB one-way
    • Cross-pol isolation better than 26 dB
  • Rotation rate: Up to 50° sec-1
  • Sensitivity using pulse compression
    • Better than 20 dBZ at 50 km
  • Simultaneous dual-polarization
  • Flexible computing platform for real-time algorithm development
  • Real-time I/Q data recording/processing
    • A/D converter resolution: 16 bit
    • Receiver bandwidth: 5 MHz
    • Gate spacing: up to 30 m
    • Number of range gates: up to 2048
  • Easy travel
    • Bridge clearance: 13'
    • Trailer weight: 2.5 tons

Open for Collaboration

The University of Oklahoma encourages academic, government, and private sector collaborations focused on advancing weather radar technology and science. PX‐1000 is open for business as a platform to foster and support such relationships. Joint projects are welcome in signal processing, radar system design, phased array radar, profiling radar, QPE, radar polarimetry, retrieval algorithms, and severe storm observations. Please contact the ARRC Director for specific inquires.

Publication of PX-1000 Data

The use of PX-1000 data in formal publications and research projects is strongly encouraged. For publications, please use the following acknowledgement: "PX-1000 is maintained and operated by the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) of the University of Oklahoma."

Data Access

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing access to data collected during past field campaigns. To request data from this system, please contact data@arrc.ou.edu. In addition, you can find example datasets available to be downloaded at the Data page.