Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) Low Level Wind Shear Alert System 3 (LLWAS 3) Integration Studies at Orlando International Airport in 1991 and 1992
Abstract
In 1993 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began deploying two new wind shear detection systems: the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) and the third-generation Low Level Windshear Alert System (LLWAS 3). Currently, 9 airports are scheduled to receive both a TDWR and an LLWAS 3. This number may eventually increase to as high as 45. When co-located the systems will be integrated to provide a single set of wind shear alerts and improve system performance. The TDWR production schedule required one of three integration algorithms to be chosen for specification by fall 1991. The three algorithms are the prototype integration algorithm developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the two algorithms developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL). To assess the performance of the three algorithms, MIT LL performed a study of integration, TDWR, and LLWAS 3 algorithms at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in the summer of 1991. Based on the results of this study, MIT LL and NCAR issued a joint recommendation that the FAA procure one of the integration algorithms developed at MIT LL. This algorithm was demonstrated at the Orlando International Airport in the summer of 1992. Results of the 1991 comparative study and a followup study of the TDWR, LLWAS 3, and Message Level integration algorithms at Orlando in 1992 are discussed. All the algorithms met the requirement of detecting 90 percent of microburst level wind shear with loss events. LLWAS 3, Build 5 TDWR, and the MIT LL integration algorithms with Build 5 TDWR all met the requirement that less than 10 percent of wind shear alerts be false.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA278957
Entities
People
- Rodney E. Cole
- Russell F. Todd
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology