A Hardware Perspective

DUAL POLARIZATION UPGRADE

EXISTING WSR-88D ANTENNA

A vast majority of the dual polarization components are being mounted to the counterweights thus all of that hardware must be hoisted up into the radome.

LEFT SIDE OF ANTENNA

Major component added to the antenna counterweight is the RF Pallet.

View from rear of antenna

Antenna counterweight

RIGHT SIDE OF ANTENNA

Major component added is the Antenna Mounted Electronics assembly.- Receiver, BITE/Calibration, Processor, Cooler/Heater, Power Supply

CLOSE UP DIAGRAMS OF ANTENNA MOUNTED ELECTRONICS (AME) ASSEMBLY.

Assembly box is mounted on right side of antenna counterweights.

FRONT OF ANTENNA

All new complex feedhorn must be mounted to the front of the antenna to transmit and receive dual polarization signal.

Rearview of unmodified antenna

..with climate-controlled equipment pallet installed..

..second equipment pallet that divides the signal installed..

..requires new feedhorn and support struts..

First operational NEXRAD with Dual-Pol modification at Vance Air Force Base

Installation of Dual Polarization includes significant modification to the NEXRAD antenna, as well as software to process the Dual-Polarization data

REVIEWNEXRAD Dual Pol Modification

WSR-88D RADAR PRIOR TO UPGRADE

WSR-88D RADAR AFTER

UPGRADE

FINAL THOUGHTS• All of the waveguide (conduit for transmitting and

receiving signal) must be replaced and doubled.

• Hardware components installed in the radome weigh 400-700 pounds.

• All new software must be installed and tested.

• In short, this is the most significant upgrade to the WSR-88D since it was deployed in the mid to late 90’s.