S-Band Orion Solid-State Technical Advantages

On May 6, 2011, the FCC revised its frequency table of allocations allowing S-Band and upper S-Band for privately licensed long-range weather surveillance Doppler within the frequency range of 3.0 GHz to 3.55 GHz. These upper S-Band wave lengths, very close to the current WSR-88Ds, yield data sets extremely compatible with the NWS radar matrix infrastructure. A distinct and important advantage over C-Band.

The Orion S-Band Series takes advantage of these new frequency allocations and when combined with a 6.2 m antenna results in a very high-performance Doppler radar with NEXRAD characteristics.

S-Band Advantages

• Less attenuation – 6-times less susceptible to intervening rain attenuation than C-Band
• Superior velocity measurements for doing true Doppler
• Less band congestion and coordination issues
• Superior cross-pol isolation for doing dual-polarization observations (when equipped)
• S-Band characterization – 10 cm wavelength/3.0 GHz to 3.55 GHz
• C-Band characterization – 5 cm wavelengths/5.3 GHz to 5.60 GHz

Antenna Profile
Antenna profile of “upper S-Band” system operating at 3.5 GHz
Antenna Aperture = 6.2 meters

3dB Half Power Point

The higher frequency S-Band antenna performance compares very favorably to the current WSR-88D with beam widths of .95 to 1.0 degrees.

*All specifications subject to change without notice.