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Polarimetric Doppler Radar
TIMELINE OF DUAL POLARIZATION AT NSSL
NSSL researchers have been developing dual polarization radar for more than 20 years. NSSL's research radar, known as the KOUN WSR-88D, was upgraded with dual polarization capabilities in the spring of 2002. KOUN is the prototype radar for a future upgrade to the existing nationwide network of WSR-88D's, expected to begin in 2009.
| 1983 | The Cimarron research radar northwest of KOUN was upgraded to dual-polarization. Horizontal and vertical pulses were not transmitted at the same time. |
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| 1984 | Collection of first (anywhere) dual polarization time series data | |
| 1985 to 1989 | Definition of the complete set of polarimetric variables. Development of schemes to obtain these variables together with spectral moments | |
| 1992 | First (anywhere) collection of polarimetric variables at all range locations | |
| 1992 to present | Development of schemes to classify precipitation type; Improvement of rainfall estimation; Design of a system functionally compatible with the WSR-88D; simultaneous transmission and reception of horizontally and vertically polarized waves | |
| 2002 | Upgrade of KOUN radar to dual polarization | |
| 2002-2003 | Joint POLarization Experiment (JPOLE) | |
| 2003-2007 | On-going design, development and testing | |
| 2007-2010 | Production and deployment |
