RASS Extension for LAP® Series Radar Wind Profilers
The RASS (Radio Acoustic Sounding System) Extension transforms a LAP® Series Radar Wind Profiler into a high-performance temperature profiler, enabling vertical temperature measurements with unmatched accuracy and resolution. RASS uses four acoustic sources placed around the radar antenna to emit sound waves vertically. These sound waves act as reflectors for the radar pulses. By analyzing the Doppler shift of the reflected signals, the system calculates temperature versus height within the radar pulse volume. This RASS Extension adds temperature profiling capability to the LAP®3000 Radar Wind Profiler, providing real-time vertical temperature profiles alongside wind measurements.
Features
- Maximum height: 1.5 km above ground
- Vertical temperature profiles with high spatial resolution
- 4 acoustic sources with 1.2 m diameter
- Unmatched accuracy: <1°
- Calibration-free operation for life
- Reliable under precipitation
- Acoustic enclosures for reduced operational noise
- Density altitude output for aviation applications
Applications
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Aviation: airports, spaceports, density altitude calculations
- Climate and Meteorological Research
- Emergency Response
- Forest Fire and Severe Weather Monitoring
- Weather Forecasting
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Audio frequency | 1.8–3.1 kHz |
| Antenna type | Parabolic reflector |
| Acoustic antenna aperture | 1.2 m diameter |
| Minimum measurement height | 100 m |
| Maximum measurement height | 1–1.8 km (dependent on pulse width & conditions) |
| Height resolution | 40–250 m (software configurable) |
| Temperature accuracy | < 1° |
| Averaging time | 3–60 min (configurable; running averages supported with 1-min updates) |
| Output data | Virtual temperature, temperature inversion identifier |
| Data displays | Time vs. height color plots, profile plots, time series plots, tabular displays |
| File formats | ASCII, NetCDF, WMO BUFR, NOAA RASS, LAP-XM, Avimet XML, user-defined |
| Outdoor operating conditions | -40 °C to +50 °C, 0–100% RH |
| Indoor operating conditions | +10 °C to +35 °C, 0–80% RH, non-condensing |
| Power requirements | AC 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, 500 W; average 40–70 W |
Download
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