Advanced radiometer for cloud liquid water and aircraft icing detection, Phase I

Aircraft icing continues to be one of the major safety and operational concerns of the FAA, elements of the military, and the foreign military and civilian counterparts. Attempts to develop methods to directly detect aircraft icing meteorological conditions have met with mixed success. Combining microwave radiometers with radars has shown great promise, but deficiencies of the radiometers have limited their value. In this proposed effort we will develop a fast sampling multifrequency profiling and dual polarization narrow beam radiometer system to overcome these deficiencies. In this proposed radiometer system, all beams are collinear and match the antenna gain pattern of weather research radars. The radiometer will have the capability of profiling (ranging) water vapor along the beam as well as discriminate ice and water phase hydrometeors. We will also develop a fast beam steering system to operate in concert with the radar. Phase II will produce a turnkey radiometric system, ready to deploy.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The radiometric system developed herein, as well as being a valuable research tool, is to be operated with NEXRAD and Terminal Doppler Weather Radars (TDWRs) to detect and quantify cloud liquid water and ice in single- and mixed-phase conditions. In addition to detecting aircraft icing conditions, this quantification will enhance weather nowcasting and predictive capabilities. Potential Non-NASA Commercial Applications: NASA Glenn is actively researching methods of detecting aircraft icing conditions, and has performed and participated in a number of aircraft icing studies with their Twin Otter, radiometers, radar, and other sensing systems. The technology proposed herein greatly enhances the value of the important radiometric observations by enabling measurements that match the research radars at a number of radiometric frequencies.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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