Winter/Spring 2006

Radar enhancement collaboration thrives between the Radar Operations Center (ROC) and NSSL

WWII radar technology was designed to detect and locate hostile aircraft. Nuisance storms picked up by the radar obscured valuable data. Eventually users realized this information could actually be useful. Researchers began to study radar data as a weather tool rather than a defense tool. This became the foundation of today's NSSL as scientists continued to work to maximize the use of the original WSR-57 surveillance radars for the U.S. Weather Bureau (now the NOAA National Weather Service.) Since then NSSL has stayed on the edge of technology with the development of the WSR-88D as the next generation of weather radar and the exploration of the many varied and exciting uses of phased array radar.

A significant part of these more recent contributions is the behind-the-scenes framework of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in existence for almost 20 years. It began when the Interim Operational Test Facility (IOTF) was placed in Norman to help continue and accelerate the WSR-88D technology transfer process following the successful Joint Doppler Operational Project (JDOP). The IOTF eventually became part of the Operational Support Facility (OSF), now called the Radar Operations Center (ROC). The OSF realized the need for continuing support from NSSL researchers on issues of hardware and software development and enhancement, correct radar operation, interpretation of WSR-88D data, and assistance with training courses for radar technicians and operators/forecasters. As a result, the ROC/NSSL Technology Transfer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established. The MOU has been in continuous existence since 1987, assuring continuity in improvement of radar hardware, software, and applications.

Over the years, the MOU has been finetuned into an effective and efficient way to transfer research into operations. Needs and priorities are identified by the users, and MOU managers (one from NSSL and one from the ROC) strategize to address the highest priority projects. Updates are given throughout the year to management on each project's progress and resource utilization. A final report is generated yearly for all MOU activities.

The ROC/NSSL Technology Transfer MOU has enjoyed great success over the nearly two decades of its lifespan. Many of the applications that are now a part of the WSR-88D baseline were developed through the MOU process, including all the severe weather algorithms. In more recent years, the MOU has evolved to support increased emphasis on data quality and the transition of NEXRAD to open-systems concepts. The development of new and more elaborate scanning strategies, better data quality, and the introduction of new capabilities such as polarization diversity are direct results of the MOU process.

Important current MOU activities (those associated with dual polarization enhancement and others) continue the transfer of important and exciting research into better operational products and services. Attractive new areas of potential radar technology, including spectral process application, phased array radar and boundary layer radar, will likely become topics for technology transfer beyond the end of the current decade. Through the NSSL/ROC MOU technology transfer process, new research will continue to benefit the American public for years to come.

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