EISCAT_3D - a next-generation European radar system for upper atmosphere and geospace research

• Main Authors: Wannberg, Gudmund, Andersson, H, Behlke, R, Belyey, V, Bergqvist, Peter, Borg, Johan, Brekke, A, Delsing, Jerker, Eliasson, L, Finch, I, Grydeland, T, Gustavsson, B, Häggström, I, Harrison, R.A., Iinatti, T, Johansson, Gustav, Johansson, Jonny, Johansson, J, Hoz, C La, Laakso, T, Larsen, R, Larsmark, Mikael, Lindgren, Tore, Nordenvaad, Magnus Lundberg, Markkanen, J, Wolf, I
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Luleå tekniska universitet, EISLAB 2010
• Subjects: Other Electrical Engineering; Electronic Engineering; Information Engineering; Annan elektroteknik och elektronik; Kiruna; EISCAT
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-8203

The EISCAT Scientifi c Association, together with a number of collaborating institutions, has recently completed a feasibility and design study for an enhanced performance research radar facility to replace the existing EISCAT UHF and VHF systems. This study was supported by EU Sixth-Framework funding. The new radar retains the powerful multi-static geometry of the EISCAT UHF, but will employ phased arrays, direct-sampling receivers, and digital beamforming and beam steering. Design goals include, inter alia, a tenfold improvement in temporal and spatial resolution, an extension of the instantaneous measurement of full-vector ionospheric drift velocities from a single point to the entire altitude range of the radar, and an imaging capability to resolve small-scale structures. Prototype receivers and beamformers are currently being tested on a 48-element, 224 MHz array (the "Demonstrator") erected at the Kiruna EISCAT site, using the EISCAT VHF transmitter as an illuminator. Validerad; 2010; 20090807 (gustav_j)