Field tests of weather surveillance are successful

MPAR technology is envisioned to be the foundation for the next-gen of civil radar networks, integrating eight separate legacy radar functions into a single multifunction platform. Developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory under sponsorship of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the system leverages an array of MACOM-manufactured phased array tiles to transmit and receive pulses of radar energy to detect and track weather systems, while at the same time providing civil air surveillance.

Used by NOAA, MPAR-based systems can increase forecast accuracy for severe weather events such as tornadoes and facilitate earlier major storm warnings, which ultimately lead to saved lives. In addition to early weather tracking, MPAR technology supports air traffic control functionality. Built over three decades ago, the current air traffic control network is approaching obsolescence and upgrading to MPAR-based systems will provide improved awareness in air traffic patterns, increasing safety and flight efficiencies.

“This successful test deployment is a significant milestone for the MPAR technology initiative, demonstrating the maturity of the technology and the manufacturing processes that underpin it,” said Dr. Doug Carlson, Vice President of Strategy, MACOM. “The next step is to move to volume commercial manufacturing that can support the scale of production of civil and defence deployments in the field.”

“MPAR technology holds great promise for weather and civil aviation radar applications and will ultimately improve the safety and security of citizens across the nation,” said Jeff Herd, Group Leader for RF Technology, MIT Lincoln Laboratory. “The successful MPAR field testing is an important step forward in demonstrating the commercial and functional viability of this sophisticated technology.”