Atmospheric Phase Screen in Ground-Based Radar: Statistics and Compensation

In this letter, we face one of the main issues in ground-based radar applications, i.e., the evaluation and removal of the atmospheric phase screen (APS). The time-varying delay statistics are assessed by means of both radars and meteo simulated data sets and are critically interpreted with particular reference to the entailed compensation issues. A compensation approach based on the available on-site meteo parameters (pressure, temperature, and humidity) is then investigated. The technique proposes an initial calibration step on humidity which leads to significant improvements in the APS removal. The results of the technique are discussed in the case of a real campaign data set (Bolzano, Italy) that covers a temporal baseline of about one week.