Aviation safety is of utmost importance, and avionic weather radars (AWR) play a critical role in ensuring that flights remain safe even in hazardous weather conditions. The X-WALD project aims to optimize, test, and validate AWR systems, including the avionic polarimetric radar signal simulator CleoSim, radar signal processing and weather classification algorithms, and GUI interfaces for advanced weather display and decision-making advice. FVD has contributed to the project through several innovative initiatives.
Technical Background: Types of AWR Systems
The AWR systems on civil and military aircraft allow for the detection of dangerous weather phenomena. These systems utilize various methods and systems for detecting dangerous weather zones, including conventional radar, coherent (Doppler) radar, and polarimetric radar. Conventional radar measures radar reflectivity, while coherent radar measures Doppler spectrum parameters. Polarimetric radar takes into account signal polarization to improve system performance characteristics. The highest potential is obtained by Doppler-polarimetric radar, which combines both Doppler and polarimetric diversities to improve detection performance.
Single polarization radar can detect only the intensity of meteorological phenomena, which is linked to harsh and dangerous conditions like hailstorms and turbulence. Polarimetric radars provide more refined information on the type of precipitation once the model of a specific hydrometeor (rain, snow, or hail) is known. Polarimetry is typically used in meteorological ground radar for weather forecasting. Existing airborne polarimetric radars are mainly used for research purposes, like NASA’s Airborne Rain Mapping Radar (ARMAR), to remotely sense weather phenomena without supporting flight hazard assessment.
FVD’s Innovative Contributions
FVD has contributed to the X-WALD project through several innovative initiatives. Firstly, FVD has conducted avionic polarimetric data acquisition in meteorological conditions selected and monitored during the measurement by auxiliary polarimetric weather ground-based radars and in situ meteorological sensors. This has enabled the optimization and validation of the CleoSim radar simulator in meteorological scenarios a priori characterized by auxiliary sensors.
Secondly, FVD has optimized and validated the radar signal processing and weather classification algorithms by comparing them with other external radar data and in situ meteorological sensors. This has enabled the identification of the most reliable algorithms for AWR systems.
Thirdly, FVD has conducted reliability tests of the trajectory optimization algorithms using a mission/flight simulator that reproduces the measurement conditions. This has enabled the application of optimum trajectories estimated by the real data.
Lastly, FVD has validated and conducted reliability testing of the customized EFB developed in KLEAN for real operative scenarios. This has enabled the assessment of the effectiveness of the EFB in providing advanced weather display and decision-making advice.
Conclusion
The X-WALD project aims to optimize, test, and validate AWR systems. FVD has contributed to the project through several innovative initiatives, including avionic polarimetric data acquisition, radar signal processing and weather classification algorithm optimization, trajectory optimization algorithm reliability testing, and customized EFB validation and reliability testing. These initiatives have enhanced the performance and effectiveness of AWR systems, contributing to aviation safety.