X-Band Profiling Radar (XPR)

Manufactured by DeTect (now Radiometrics) and added to the MIPS platform in 2009, the XPR is a unique tool to the MIPS. The XPR is a horizontally polarized, vertically pointing Doppler radar that allows for high resolution vertical Doppler moments from the surface to ~10 km above radar level. As opposed to scanning radars, vertically pointing radars stare vertically into the atmosphere rather than scanning a full circle. This allows the radar to retrieve vertical structures of storms in much greater detail. With the XPR, we are able to gather critical information regarding updraft/downdraft strength, vertical structure of reflectivity, and vertical structures of spectrum width.

A climate-controlled computer cabinet is mounted underneath the XPR that holds the radar components and control computers. Though the XPR is typically mounted to the MIPS trailer and controlled from inside the MIPS van, this cabinet allows the XPR to work as a stand-alone system.

The XPR mounted on MIPS.

• Transmitter Power: 25 kW
• Transmitter: Magnetron
• Frequency: 9.41 GHz (X-Band)
• Antenna Diameter: 1.8 m
• Beam Width: 1.2 Degrees
• Range: 10-12 km
• Polarization: Single (Horizontal)
• Pulse Width (PW): Selectable between 0.2, 0.5 and 1 second
• Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF): 1000 Hz at 1-second PW, 1250 Hz at 0.5-s PW, 2000 Hz at 0.2-second PW
• Dwell Time: 50 ms at 1000 Hz PRF, 40 ms at 1250 Hz PRF, 25 ms at 2000 Hz PRF

A gust front detected by the XPR on 7 Aug 2013.

A wake low as depicted by the XPR on 3 Jan 2017.