Orion™ Solid-State Technical Description
All Orion systems take full advantage of the latest in electronic and microwave device technology.
The Orion is a coherent antenna-mounted radar that uses no RF-rotary joints or radioactive gas limiter for receiver protection. Orion’s core components include WDS Radar’s patented GaN pulsed high-power solid-state power amplifier, research-grade Doppler signal processor, and frequency-agile RF exciter/receiver. This innovative combination yields a very high-resolution, low-emission, state-of-the-art system. The Orion is well suited for all commercial, military, and specialized missions that demand the highest performance and reliability.
Orion Series dual-polarization radar have multiple transmitters and control over phase and frequency allowing transmissions in circular RH, circular LH, and slant 45. Our ability to incorporate frequency diversity yields much greater dual-pol isolation between channels (Cross-pol isolation). Most commercially available dual-pol systems that have only one transmitter do not have this capability.
Primary Power Requirement – 120 VAC single phase 15 amps
Transmitter – Brief Technical Specifications
| Frequency | 5.3 GHz to 5.6 GHz (C Band) 2.9 GHz to 3.55 GHz (S-Band) |
| Type | GaN – based SSA (coherent solid-state amplifier) |
| Peak power | (scaleable) |
| Duty cycle | 10% |
| PRF | 300 to 3000 |
| Staggered/interlaced scheme: | Yes |
| Pulse width | .5μs to 150μs |
Receiver Specifications – Typical
| Single-stage Heterodyne design | |
| Frequency range | 5.3 to 5.6 GHz (C-Band) 2.9 to 3.55 GHz (S-Band) |
| Dynamic range | >100 dB |
| Noise figure | @ 1MHz 2.0dB |
| Noise power | @ receiver input-127 dBm |
| Staggered/interlaced scheme: | Yes |
| IF = 60 MHz (standard) options include 72 MHz and 100 MHz | |
Antenna Options
4 to 20-foot precision composite parabolic reflector options
Single or Dual-Polarization feeds
Cross pol isolation (when equipped) > 42 dB.
Antenna Pedestal Specifications
| Azimuth | 360º continuous |
| Azimuth speed | 45º/sec (7 RPM) |
| Azimuth acceleration/deceleration | 38º/sec |
| Elevation | -2º to +90º |
| Elevation rate | 38º/sec |
| Position accuracy | .1º |
| Scanning routine capabilities | 360º Azimuth continuous Azimuth: Sector RHI RHI programmable routine Volume scan: programmable routine |
Signal Processing Specifications
WDS Radar uses the most technologically advanced Doppler processor available. Sophisticated IF circuitry provides unparalleled receiver sensitivity, superior clutter cancellation, and custom transmitter wave forms. Superior signal processing creates research grade weather moments for user analysis.
Basic Moments:
C uncorrected reflectivity
Cz corrected reflectivity (ground returns removed)
V radial velocity
W spectral width (associated with wind shear and turbulence)
Pulse pair mode time domain processing
DFT/FFT mode frequency domain processing
Random phase mode for 2nd trip filtering
Polarization mode processing
Range Resolution: Minimum spacing of 25 m configurable in N*8.33 steps
Max Range: 1024 Km
Number of Range Bins: 8024 Max
Dual-Polarization Moments:
Zdr
Kdp
LdrRH
LdrLH
PhiH
PhiV
PhiDP
RhoH
RhoV
RhoHV
H-Class
*All values listed are typical and are subject to change. Data should be used for general reference only. Other operational parameters are available upon request from WDS Radar.
WDS Radar | Evergreen, CO | 720-837-9468 M