Electromagnetic wind radar simulator validation using meteorological data and a zenith X-band radar

This paper presents the validation of an electromagnetic radar simulator based on Large Eddy Simulations of the turbulent atmosphere. The simulator has been developed by UCL in the frame of the FP7 UFO project aimed at improving the Wake-Vortex Advisory Systems by the analysis, design and development of innovative technologies for Ultra-Fast Radar and Lidar used as wind and Eddy Dissipation Rate sensors. Experimental trials have taken place at Toulouse airport giving access to concurrent collocated X-band radar data and meteorological data. The simulator is validated against radar and meteorological values of Eddy Dissipation Rate, showing a good agreement, with a trend to have meteorological values somewhat higher than radar measured and simulated values