Development of Doppler Polarimetric Cloud Radar Systems

Over the past 50 years, millimeter-wavelength radars have served as the primary tool for studying clouds. Thanks to advancements in electronic components, signal processing techniques, and cloud parameters retrieval algorithms, their efficiency has steadily improved. In this review, we will focus on the development of Ka- and W-band cloud radar systems produced at the Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Notably, the shift towards using solid-state transmitters instead of vacuum tube transmitters stands out as a key recent advancement in this field. The typical design approaches and characteristics of both types of radar systems are described. Additionally, potential opportunities for further improving the efficiency of Doppler polarimetric cloud radars are discussed.