Design and manufacture of atmospheric radar systems

The study of weather and climate is of concern to everyone. Weather forecasting is becoming increasingly important in many areas, ranging from air-traffic control to pollution monitoring to artillery support.

The study of climate change, too, is increasingly important and relies on upon the collection of accurate data for atmospheric modeling. Suggestions that early indications of changes in climate are clearest in the upper atmosphere give new impetus to its investigation.

Ground-based radar systems have been used to study the atmosphere and the weather and to collect data for several decades, measuring atmospheric phenomena such as wind velocities, turbulence, atmospheric waves, energy exchange between different layers of the atmosphere and the drift of ionisation trails left by meteors as they fall through the atmosphere. In recent years, advances in signal processing technology and in the scientific understanding of the atmosphere have seen the emergence of commercially viable, turnkey atmospheric radar systems.

ATRAD is a leading developer and supplier of such systems.

ATRAD Today

ATRAD is a successful, independent company owned by its Directors. Since its establishment in 1995 (see Company History), ATRAD has gained an outstanding international reputation as a supplier of ground-based atmospheric radar systems. During this time, ATRAD has supplied systems, components and expertise for over 30 major radar installations. Most of the systems supplied to date have been to support atmospheric and ionospheric research programmes.

ATRAD has been able to successfully leverage the experience gained from the development of these complex and highly flexible research systems to develop a modular systems architecture. This architecture allows ATRAD to supply complex research systems, turnkey operational systems and radar sub-systems.

ATRAD's success has been built on its:

• Highly qualified, professional workforce
• Strong science links to the Department of Physics at the University of Adelaide and many other research organisations
• Depth of scientific knowledge and experience
• Large installed base
• Focus on customer support and quality
• Access to highly qualified consultants and scientists

In developing its current range of products, ATRAD has also developed a number of core skills and technology:

• Data analysis and display
• Scientific data interpretation
• High Power RF transmitters (solid-state and valve-based)
• DSP-based data acquisition

ATRAD Tomorrow

In respect of its current products and technology, ATRAD's emphasis is to expand its market share in the research market and pursue new and emerging markets for operational applications such as climate monitoring, meteorology, rocket and proof-range support, pollution monitoring, airport operations, etc.

However, ATRAD's broader mission is the design, development, integration and international marketing of innovative, leading-edge systems for environmental remote sensing, monitoring and interpretation. ATRAD is well placed to extend its experience in radar-based sensing into other sensor technologies and to apply its scientific skills more broadly in the pursuit of this mission.

To support this expansion, ATRAD:

• Promotes and supports collaborative development programmes for both academic and commercial purposes
• Seeks commercial partners for product development, service delivery and distribution
• Encourages on-development of its extensive data analysis software suite by providing access to software source code