Indian MST radar digital receiver first results

In this article we explain the features of a Digital Receiver developed for atmospheric science research applications. The digital receiver is initially test validated with an analog receiver of MST (Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere) Radar located at NARL (National Atmospheric Research Laboratory), Gadanki, India. This article presents a brief overview of NARL scientific research activities, two decades of technological development activities of MST Radar system, radar receiver features for estimation of atmospheric parameters, specifications and hardware details of digital receiver, performance test methods of digital receiver with simulated signals. Furthermore, an atmospheric wind profile obtained after implementing the digital receiver with MST Radar is presented. These digital receivers are now operational with 1.28-GHz lower atmospheric wind profilers, pilot active array of 53-MHz MST Radar and 30-MHz HF radar developed at NARL to estimate atmospheric parameters at different height levels of Earth's atmosphere.