Forward and backscattering measurements of rainfall using the NASA Microwave Link

This paper studies the feasibility of making backscatter measurements from rainfall with the NASA/Microwave Link system at Wallops Island, VA. The research entails the implementation of an FMCW radar at the Link frequencies to enable simultaneous forward and backscatter measurements from rain. The backscatter measurements will be used in conjunction with the forward measurements and the measurements from a ground-based network of disdrometers and rain gauges located under the propagation path to develop new microwave retrieval techniques, and to test established single-frequency and dual-frequency radar retrieval-algorithms relevant to the ongoing TRMM and up coming GPM missions