UWR China 24-Inch Antenna

Understanding Weather Radar
Stephen D. Hammack
July 7th, 2021
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Aerospace - Flight Technical Services Notice Of Limitations

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Copyright 2021 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved. Honeywell is a registered
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© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Agenda
• Radar 101
• Antenna & Beamwidth
• Reflectivity & Gain

• Operation
• Detection
• Analysis
• Avoidance
• Tools
• Interpretation of Data

Airborne Weather Radar
• Radar – RAdio Detection And Ranging
• Primarily does 3 Things

- Range to target - determined by measuring
the time it takes a pulse to return from a
target
- Azimuth from aircraft – known from where
the antenna is pointing during transmission
- Reflectivity – Measures energy returned
from target which is proportional to rainfall
rate and is presented as different colors
• It does not detect:

• Water vapor
• Fog
• Clouds
• Volcanic Ash

Antenna & Beamwidth

The Real Antenna Beam

Antenna Pattern
Main Beam
Sidelobes

Antenna Pattern (12”, 8 Degrees)
The maximum signal power is concentrated at the center of the

Flashlight beam width beam shape just like for the flashlight beam shape.
(it’s shape is similar to the Relative gain Actual
4 degrees .Gain
antenna’s beam width)
100 562
An Ideal antenna
90 beam
80 The Real beam width

of a 12” antenna
70
Percent of Gain
60
50% = ½ Power = -3dB

50
40
30
20
10
0
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Left/Right Angle in Degrees

Like a Flashlight
This is the advertised beamwidth of a 24-Inch

antenna with a 4.2-Degree Beamwidth. It is
also what we refer to as the Weather-
Detection Beamwidth.
The most reflective part of

weather targets should be
viewed using the inner 8
degrees of the beam
width. Unfortunately, the
outer 4 degrees will also
“scoop-up” unwanted
ground clutter

Weather & Ground Beamwidth
Antenna Pattern (24”, 4.2 Degrees)

Maximum Reflectivity

Maximum Reflectivity

Ground Returns

Ground Returns

How Big is The Beam ?
1° = 1nm

If you’re 60nm from a VOR and 1-Degree

off track -- You’re 1nm off track
1° = 1nm

1 degree @ 60nm = ? Feet

1 degree @ 60nm = 60+00 = 6000 feet
1° = 1nm

Antenna Beamwidth
X-Band BEAMWIDTH
4.2⁰ 16800 33600 67200 IN FEET
1º = 40+00 = 4,000 feet

4.2º = 4.2 X 4,000 = 16,800 feet
1º = 80+00 = 8,000 feet

4.2º = 4.2 X 8,000 = 33,600 feet
1º = 160+00 = 16,000 feet

4.2º = 4.2 X 16,000 = 67,200 feet
0 40 80 160 nm
Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

Antenna Beamwidth
BEAMWIDTH
IN FEET
X-Band
4.2⁰ 4200 8400 16800 33600 67200 134400
At 320nm the radar beam

is 22nm wide & tall !
0 10 20 40 80 160 320 nm

Antenna Beamwidth
BEAMWIDTH
IN FEET
X-Band
4.2⁰ 4200 8400 16800 33600 67200 134400

0 10 20 40 80 160 320 nm

Antenna Beamwidth
BEAMWIDTH
IN FEET
X-Band
4.2⁰ 4200 8400 16800 33600 67200 134400

0 10 20 40 80 160 320 nm

Antenna Beamwidth
BEAMWIDTH
IN FEET
X-Band
4.2⁰ 4200 8400 12000 33600 67200 134400

0 10 20 40 80 160 320 nm

Earth’s Curvature Effect

100nm 200nm 300nm

6,620’ 26,500’ 59,700’

27.4 36.9 44.0

FL 250
60
NM 120
NM 150
NM

Antenna Stabilization
The purpose of Antenna Stabilization is to maintain the antenna scanning

horizontal to the earth regardless of the attitude of the aircraft.
Showing both
ascending and
descending attitudes.
Outgoing radar pulse
Beam’s shape
This distance is constant regardless

of the aircraft’s maneuvers or the
antenna’s scan angle

Approximate Antenna Size Comparison
Antenna Size 30" 24" 18" 12" 10"

Beamwidth 3.2 Degrees 4.2 Degrees 5.6 Degrees 7.9 Degrees 10 Degrees
Ground Returns 5.67 Degrees 7.44 Degrees 9.92 Degrees 14 Degrees 17.72 Degrees
10nm 3,200 4,200 5,600 7,900 10,000
20nm 6,400 8,400 11,200 15,800 20,000
40nm 12,800 16,800 22,400 31,600 40,000
80nm 25,600 33,600 44,800 63,200 80,000
160nm 51,200 67,200 89,600 126,400 160,000
320nm 102,400 134,400 179,200 252,800 320,000

Reflectivity & Gain

FAA Standard Reflectivity Rates
Airborne Weather Radars are calibrated to display rainfall rates in the

following colors based on reflectivity (dBz). Note that all reflectivity >40 dbz is
shown in RED. Some GA radars have a fourth color (magenta or white) that
indicates rates of 50 dbz or greater)
NOTE: Turbulence detection is not related to reflectivity

Color Levels vs. Probabilities
VIP levels VIP levels

1 2 3 4 5 6 2 3 4 5 6
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Green Yellow Red Magenta Yellow Red Magenta
100 100
90 90 1/4 inch hail

Turbulence Probability
80 80
Hail Probability
70 70
60 60
50 50
1/2 inch hail
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
3/4 inch hail
0 0
0.14 in/hr 0.45 in/hr 1.9 in/hr 0.14 in/hr 0.45 in/hr 1.9 in/hr
Rainfall Rate Rainfall Rate
For Convective Weather !

Convective Activity

Reflectivity
Color Reflectivity
<20 dBz
20 dBz
Standard Rainstorm
30 dBz
3nm Wide
40 dBz 3nm High
Raining at 8.1”/Hour
50 dBz
Assumptions: Raindrop Not Frozen

Standard size raindrop Beam Filling

Space Loss
The Pulse volume increases as it moves from

location 1 to location 2
2
1
20nm 160nm

Beam Filling
160nm
67,200’
80nm
33,600’

Three Identical Cells at Different Ranges
40 NM 40 NM 40 NM
Without STC
10 NM 21 NM 32 NM
40 NM 40 NM 40 NM
With STC
10 NM 21 NM 32 NM

Sensitivity Time Control (STC)
SPACE LOSS
RECEIVER
GAIN
SYSTEM
GAIN
STC Limit
60nm - Green
120nm - Yellow
RANGE 180nm - Red

STC Limits
Reflectivity
40 dbz
30 dbz
20 dbz
0 dbz
Range (nm)
60 120 180

Concept of Calibrated Weather
The beam-filling curve’s .
knee. P-864 Weather STC curves
60
Display
65
colors The thunderstorm remains
70 calibrated as a Red-level storm
75 within this range (about 110 NM)
Power returned in dBm
80
Signal 85 Here the thunderstorm loses

Power 90 calibration and turns Yellow
Returned 95
100 Here it turns Green

105
Here it is completely
110
disappears from the
115
radar’s display
120
1 . 10
3
10 20 40 60 80 100
Range in NM
Each of theses bars represents the same red-level thunderstorm signal reflection as that storm is
moved farther outward in range (naturally, it gets smaller as it moves out due to space loss)

Storm Reflectivity
Altitude
in
feet Storm Cell
50,000
Relatively
40,000 Poor
Freezing
Reflector
Altitude
30,000 3 Altitude
Good Reflector
20,000
2
Good Reflector
10,000
1
Minimum Maximum
Range Relative
Storm
Reflectivity
A B

Poor Weather Returns
Relative
Reflectivity
WET HAIL - GOOD
RAIN - GOOD 1
WET SNOW - GOOD
DRY HAIL - POOR .03
DRY SNOW - VERY POOR

Frozen Stormtops

Frozen Stormtops

Single Cell

Reliance On Reflectivity
Some pilots are taught to avoid RED cells only

Heavy stratus rain can paint RED but be fine to fly through
Cells at cruise altitude have low reflectivity (Green)
This is short range issue when the beam width is small in
comparison to the weather cell size and the beam intersects the
cell at high altitudes in frozen layers
The difference is one is convective, one is not !
Vertical Development is Important

Convective Activity

Radar Operation
• Three Processes
• Detection
• Range
• Tilt
• Gain
• Analysis
• Avoidance

Detection - Range

Blind Alley
When using the weather radar, always beware of a “Blind Alley” or “Box Canyon” situation. The Pilot
Monitoring should normally be at least one range higher than the Pilot Flying.
The 80 NM range provides

On the 40 NM range
much better situational
the weather danger is
awareness.
not evident.
Short Range Longer Range

Azimuth Resolution
12-inch
antenna
Range beam width
in NM in NM
5 0.7
10 1.4
25 3.4
50 7
100 14
200 28
300 41
Targets separated by a distance less

than the beam diameter
(at the target distance) will merge
and appear on the indicator as
“one”.

Detection - Tilt

Conventional Radar With Tilt Control
CONVENTIONAL RADAR WITH

TILT CONTROL
Proper Tilt Management Required
Cruise - Ground Park

How Do You Deal With Attenuation ?
If you can’t see through it, don’t fly through it !!!

Attenuation

Attenuation

Attenuation

How Do You Deal With Attenuation ?
Here is a Radar Shadow caused by weather

attenuation. This V-notch shaped radar shadow
behind a thunderstorm is the display characteristic
you should always be attempting to identify.
Thunderstorm
This set of pictures were provided

courtesy of Trans States Airlines.

Mid Altitude Park

Cruise Altitude vs. Mid-altitudes
Low Level Techniques Will Not

be Effective at High Altitudes!

Scanning – Takeoff, Descent and Landing
Look for the most reflective part of

the storm

Low Level Tilt "Math"
FL250
+?°
3,000'
10 NM 20 NM 30 NM
1° = 1,000' 1° = 2,000' 1° = 3,000'

?
? 22,500'
? 15,000'
7500'
+ 15°
5NM 10NM 15NM

Scan up to +15, then back to +4 (+7 Gyros)

If You Change Something - Scan
•Range change
• Heading change
• Altitude change
• Before Takeoff
• Developing Storm
Re-Scan

Stratus Rain

Stratus Rain

Stratus Rain

Detection - Gain

Increased Capability With Gain Increase/Decrease
• Good for judging the relative intensity between storm cells

• Reduce gain and the strongest cells and turbulence remain
• Useful in heavy stratus rain for finding embedded cells
• Help find attenuation
• Create an extra color or level
• Increase gain to see frozen storm tops

Analysis

Analysis Example

Analysis Example

Tilt "Math"
1. Raised beam another ½ degree

2. Frozen storm tops begin to disappear
12,000’
+3
8,000’
+2
38,000’ 4,000’
+1
0’
-1
-4,000’
-2
-8,000’
-3
-12,000’
40nm
1-Degree
@ 40nm = 4,000’

Tilt "Math"
1. Increase gain to MAX

12,000’
+3
8,000’
+2
38,000’ 4,000’
+1
0’
-1
-4,000’
-2
-8,000’
-3
-12,000’
40nm
1-Degree
@ 40nm = 4,000’

Tilt "Math"
1. Wet storm top disappears at +3.5

12,000’
+3
8,000’
+2
38,000’ 4,000’
+1
0’
-1
+3.5 -4,000’
+1.5 -2
-------- -8,000’
+2.0 = +8,000 -3
-12,000’
38,000’
40nm
+8,000’
------------ 1-Degree
46,000’ @ 40nm = 4,000’

Tools

https://pohperformance.com/Radar/index.html

Tools

Reduced Sector Scan
• Half the scan angle

- 60° vs. 120°
• Double scan rate
- 2 sec vs. 4 sec

Antenna Stabilization
The purpose of Antenna Stabilization is to maintain the antenna scanning

horizontal to the earth regardless of the attitude of the aircraft.
Showing both
ascending and
descending attitudes.
Outgoing radar pulse
Beam’s shape
This distance is constant regardless

of the aircraft’s maneuvers or the
antenna’s scan angle

Gain
Altitude
in
feet Storm Cell
50,000
Relatively
40,000 Poor
Freezing
Reflector
Altitude
30,000 3 Altitude
Good Reflector
20,000
2
Good Reflector
10,000
1
Minimum Maximum
Range Relative
Storm
Reflectivity
A B Relative
Reflectivity
WET HAIL - GOOD
RAIN - GOOD 1
WET SNOW - GOOD
DRY HAIL - POOR .03
DRY SNOW - VERY POOR

Target Alert
Target Alert
Indicates areas
Of significant
Weather offscale

REACT
Showing areas of attenuation

REACT = Rain Echo Attenuation
Compensation Technique

Cruise - Ground Park

ACT
Selected Range
Selected Range
±15° Normal Tilt Range
Detects Everything but doesn’t show maximum reflectivity

ACT (Altitude Compensated Tilt)
Check SIL D210806000021

Turbulence Detection
Does not detect Clear Air Turbulence

Set at Approximately 5m/s

Interpretation of Data

Cities or Storms ?
Potential Radar
shadow (but it’s not).
This is probably one of
the great lakes.
Potential Radar Potential Radar

Shadow (it is) Thunderstorm Shadow (it is) Thunderstorm City (no shadow)
City

Ground Returns
Cities
Mt. Rainier in Washington state (14,410 feet tall)
If you can’t see through it, don’t fly through it !!!

Steep Gradients
WIND
In normal storm Strong upper winds can make the storm

cells the rainfall “lean”. The rain no longer stops the
helps stop the vertical development allowing the storm
vertical to grow faster, stronger, and last longer
development than normal

Weather To Look For And Why
• Appear quite suddenly on any

edge of storm
• Change in intensity & shape in

a matter of seconds

Avoidance

Turbulence

Turbulence

Turbulence

Avoidance Maneuvers
Whenever possible, deviate to the

upwind side of a storm to avoid the
downwind eddy currents. These
eddies are caused by the obstruction
the storm presents to the wind stream.
Wind direction
Turbulence in the downwind

eddies.

Avoidance Maneuvers
The height of a storm cell should be Don’t accept a vector from ATC into
considered when planning avoidance: convective weather. Always ask for an
alternate route. When you do refuse a
Avoid all cells containing Yellow, RED vector, always try to give them adequate
or turbulence indications by at least warning time so they can plan for
20nm aircraft-spacing adjustments. That is, try
Avoid all cells exceeding 28,000 feet to avoid last-minute decisions.
containing Green, Yellow, RED or Don’t plan a course between two closely
turbulence indications by at least spaced thunderstorms (storms with less
20nm than 40 NM between them).
Cells exceeding 35,000 feet should be Don’t land or takeoff in the face of a
considered extremely dangerous and thunderstorm that is in the projected
additional separation (in addition to flight path. A sudden wind shift, gust
20nm) should be used front or low-level turbulence could cause
loss of control.
Remember that damaging hail can be Don’t attempt to fly under a
thrown at least 20nm from a cell. thunderstorm or the associated anvil
even if you can see through to the other
side. Turbulence under the storm could
be severe.
98 98
98
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Understanding Weather Radar

Aerospace - Flight Technical Services Notice Of Limitations

Honeywell International Inc.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

• Reflectivity & Gain

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

• Radar – RAdio Detection And Ranging

• Primarily does 3 Things

• It does not detect:

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

The maximum signal power is concentrated at the center of the

80 The Real beam width

50% = ½ Power = -3dB

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

This is the advertised beamwidth of a 24-Inch

The most reflective part of

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Antenna Pattern (24”, 4.2 Degrees)

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

If you’re 60nm from a VOR and 1-Degree

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

1 degree @ 60nm = ? Feet

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

1º = 40+00 = 4,000 feet

1º = 80+00 = 8,000 feet

1º = 160+00 = 16,000 feet

Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

At 320nm the radar beam

Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

At 320nm the radar beam

Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

At 320nm the radar beam

Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

At 320nm the radar beam

Example for a 24” – 4.2 Degree Beamwidth Antenna

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

100nm 200nm 300nm

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

27.4 36.9 44.0

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

The purpose of Antenna Stabilization is to maintain the antenna scanning

This distance is constant regardless

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Antenna Size 30" 24" 18" 12" 10"

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Airborne Weather Radars are calibrated to display rainfall rates in the

NOTE: Turbulence detection is not related to reflectivity

© 2021 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

VIP levels VIP levels

90 90 1/4 inch hail

For Convective Weather !