Modeling the Radar Signature of Raindrops in Aircraft Wake Vortices

Abstract The present work is dedicated to the modeling and simulation of the radar signature of raindrops within wake vortices. This is achieved through the computation of the equation of raindrop motion within the wake vortex flow. Based on the inhomogeneous distribution of raindrops within wake vortices, the radar echo model is computed for raindrops in a given resolution cell. Simulated Doppler radar signatures of raindrops within wake vortices are shown to be a potential criterion for identifying wake vortex hazards in air traffic control. The dependence of the radar signature on various parameters, including the radial resolution and antenna elevation angle, is also analyzed.