In this paper, a system-specific phased-array radar system simulator was developed, based on a time-domain modeling and simulation method, mainly for system performance evaluation of the future Spectrum-Efficient National Surveillance Radar (SENSR). The goal of the simulation study was to establish a complete data quality prediction method based on specific radar hardware and electronics designs. The distributed weather targets were modeled using a covariance matrix-based method. The data quality analysis was conducted using Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level-II data as a basis, in which the impact of various pulse compression waveforms and channel electronic instability on weather radar data quality was evaluated. Two typical weather scenarios were employed to assess the simulator’s performance, including a tornado case and a convective precipitation case. Also, modeling of some demonstration systems was evaluated, including a generic weather radar, a planar polarimetric phased-array radar, and a cylindrical polarimetric phased-array radar. Corresponding error statistics were provided to help multifunction phased-array radar (MPAR) designers perform trade-off studies.

This letter combines a time-domain modeling and simulation method for evaluating the impacts of system modules on polarimetric data quality of phased array weather radars with both theoretical analysis and actual measurements. In the presented phased array radar system simulator (PASIM), the distributed weather returns are modeled by randomly distributed scatterers, and Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level-II data or user-defined weather scenarios are utilized as weather truth fields. Based on a specially designed patch element, a dual-polarization phased array mobile demonstration system (Ten Panel Demonstrator or TPD) is simulated. In addition, the biases of differential reflectivity, copolar correlation coefficient, and differential phase along beam direction away from the broadside in principal plane and nonprincipal plane are used as data quality metrics. Moreover, theoretical analysis, system simulation, and actual TPD proof of concept measurements in a stratiform precipitation and a convective precipitation are presented, respectively, then similarities and discrepancies between simulations and measurements are compared and explained.

The configurable phased array demonstrator (CPAD) is a low-cost, reconfigurable, small-scale testbed for the dual-polarized array antenna and radar prototype. It is based on the concept that individual transmit and receive (TR) modules and radiating elements can be configured in different ways to study the impact of various array manifolds on radiation pattern performance. For example, CPAD is configured as (a) a 4 × 4 planar array, (b) a planar array with mirror configuration, and (c) a circular array to support the multifunctional phased array radar (MPAR) system risk reduction studies. System descriptions are given in detail, and measurements are made and results are analyzed.

Electromagnetic (EM) simulation of dual-polarized antennas is necessary for precise initial alignments, calibration and performance predictions of multi-function phased array radar systems. To achieve the required flexibility and scalability, a novel Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) solution is developed for rectangular, cylindrical and non-orthogonal coordinate systems to simulate various types of array antenna manifolds. Scalable array pattern predictions and beam generations are obtained by combining the FDTD simulation solutions with the Near-Field (NF) chamber measurements. The effectiveness and accuracy of this approach are validated by comparing different simulations and comparing simulations with measurements.

The Configurable Phased Array Demonstrator (CPAD) is a low-cost, reconfigurable, small scale testbed for dual-polarized phased array antenna prototype. It is based on the concept that individual TR modules and radiating elements can be configured in different ways to study the impact of array manifolds on the radiation pattern performance. As an example, a 4 by 4 planar array was constructed with CPAD to support the Multi-Functional Phased Array Radar (MPAR) system developments, and the initial simulation and measurement results of this system are compared.

This work developed a scalable measurement and simulation framework that allows different types of future Multifunctional Phased Array Radar (MPAR) manifolds to be evaluated and improved. The focus is to compare the optimized, formed beam patterns of both planar and cylindrical array antennas. A Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) solver is developed for rectangular, cylindrical, and non orthogonal coordinate systems to simulate planar array, fully conformal cylindrical array, and faceted-cylindrical array respectively. This electromagnetic (EM) solver is used to generate Active Element Patterns (AEP) for scalable simulations, which are then compared and validated with measurements of active element patterns using near-field scanning and array pattern generation results.