Multifunction Phased-Array Radar: Time Balance Scheduler for Adaptive Weather Sensing

Abstract

Phased-array radars (PARs) have the capability of instantaneously and dynamically controlling beam position on a pulse-by-pulse basis, which allows a single radar to perform multiple functions, such as tracking multiple storms or weather and aviation surveillance. Moreover, these tasks can be carried out with different update times to achieve the goal of better characterizing and forecasting the storms of interest. However, these tasks usually compete for finite radar resources, and scheduling algorithms are often needed to address resource contention. To capitalize on the PAR capabilities, an algorithm based on the concept of time balance (TB) is developed for adaptive weather sensing. Two quality measures are introduced to quantify the gain of adaptive sensing relative to standard scanning patterns used by the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D). A simulation experiment is performed to demonstrate the advantages of adaptive sensing and to test and verify the performance of the TB scheduling algorithm. It is shown that the gain of adaptive sensing can be realized by the TB scheduler; that is, storms of interest can be revisited more frequently within a relatively short period time compared to conventional scanning.

Variable scheduling interval task scheduling for phased array radar

“…It is obvious that the second SI (SI 2) and the fourth SI (SI 4) are overload. The sum of priorities of request tasks in the two SIs are calculated as P SI (2) > P SI (4). Thus, time of SI 1 and SI 3 is firstly shortened for SI 2.…”

“…They preset the task mode priority for each kind of task and prior schedule tasks with the highest priority. Butler et al [3,4] proposed the scheduling algorithm based on the time-balance, which indicated the urgency of each task. The algorithm prior scheduled the tasks with imminent deadline.…”

Recognition of Multifunction Radars Via Hierarchically Mining and Exploiting Pulse Group Patterns

“…M ULTIFUNCTION radars (MFR) are widely used in civil and military areas [1]- [4], they usually have multiple modes such as storm surveillance and tracking [5], target searching and tracking [6], [7]. Each radar mode is implemented with pulse groups that may have diversed discrete temporal structures [8].…”

Adaptive Beamspace Processing for Phased-Array Weather Radars

“…For example, research has been done using the National Weather Radar Testbed phased-array radar to demonstrate that phased-array weather radars can achieve faster update times while maintaining data quality [6], [7]. Adaptive scanning strategies have also shown potential in reducing update times [8]. In an MPAR system, aircraft and weather surveillance missions need to have update times of 4.8 and 60 s, respectively [9].…”