WIRA-C: A compact 142-GHz-radiometer for continuous middle-atmospheric wind measurements

摘要: Abstract. Ground-based microwave wind radiometry provides a method to measure horizontal speeds at altitudes between 35 and 75 km as has been shown by various previous studies. No other is capable of continuously delivering measurements in this altitude region. As opposed lidar systems, radiometers operate autonomously independent daylight clouds. In paper, we present the WIRA-C (Wind Radiometer for Campaigns) instrument that observes 142.17504 GHz rotational transition line ozone with high spectral resolution using low noise single side band heterodyne receiver. Because emitting molecules are drifting wind, Doppler shifted. Together pressure broadening effect, allows retrieval resolved profiles. The novel represents newest development implements many improvements over its predecessor, WIRA instrument. main include compact structure, lower an advanced setup. This paper describes data processing focus on takes into account three-dimensional atmosphere never used ground-based before. yields profiles 12 h time vertical 10 km zonal 10 15 km meridional speeds. We give error estimate accounts thermal measured spectra additionally systematic errors Monte Carlo methods. measuring 1 year Maido observatory Reunion (21.4° S, 55.9° E). series campaign compare our model from European Centre Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) coincident co-located Rayleigh–Mie lidar. find good agreement ECMWF operational analysis series, where features both datasets. observations consistent agree within their respective uncertainties long integration times.