Analysis of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar Algorithm for Detecting Rotation Associated with Microbursts
Abstract
Rotating winds aloft occurring with downdrafts often are associated with microbursts, which are serious aviation hazards. The Terminal Doppler Weather Radar system detects microbursts and warns pilots of windshear events, partly by its use of rotation as precursors. The role of the rotation region detection algorithm in this system is described, and the improvements to it are analyzed using measured data and simulated rotation regions. The final results show a substantial overall decrease in the number of false detections generated by the algorithm due to adjustment of thresholds and additional logic, while still retaining a good probability of microburst rotation region detection (84 percent). Ideas for future enhancement are explored through techniques such as discriminant analysis and environmental wind filtering.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA242840
Entities
People
- Valerie C. Coel
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology