Our team has performed trade and design studies for the FAA and NOAA of multifunction phased array radar (MPAR) concepts that would combine the functionalities of air traffic control, air surveillance, precision weather observation, and detection of clear air turbulence in a single radar unit. Such a system requires multiple independently operating sectors to perform all functions within the required timeline. Our study identified a pyramidal building with four phased array faces as an attractive geometry, in part because faces are isolated from each other by the structure and corners, permitting reception on one face while simultaneously transmitting on its neighbors. We report here on an initial risk-reduction investigation involving simulations that characterized the achievable face-to-face isolation. We conclude that an MPAR design based on a four-faced pyramidal structure should provide sufficient isolation to allow simultaneous and independent operation and tasking of adjacent faces.

A concept for a Multi-Function Phased Array Radar (MPAR) to provide next generation simultaneous aircraft and weather surveillance has been developed. This paper discusses a number of system design considerations that are needed to address the multi-mission challenges of MPAR, especially with respect to its stringent timeline objectives.