Multisensor Agile Adaptive Sampling (MAAS)
Atmospheric processes are complex and often involve interactions between the clear and cloudy parts of the atmosphere. In remote sensing, it is common to rely on multiple sensors to observe these different parts of the atmosphere, and to gain insights regarding their interactions using multi-sensor retrieval techniques. Traditionally, the value of multi-sensor observations emerges long after their collection, during a post-processing phase. Unfortunately, any knowledge gained at that stage cannot be used to adjust the observing strategy, often leaving an incomplete picture of the atmosphere.
Today, advancements in communications, computational resources and sensor capabilities enable us to use real-time analytics to retrieve the current state and predict the short-term future state of the atmosphere. In this way, multi-sensor observations can be used in real time to optimize the spatiotemporal sampling of atmospheric processes
Today, advancements in communications, computational resources and sensor capabilities enable us to use real-time analytics to retrieve the current state and predict the short-term future state of the atmosphere. In this way, multi-sensor observations can be used in real time to optimize the spatiotemporal sampling of atmospheric processes
In a recent study (Kollias et al., 2020) we demonstrated the value of this new observing paradigm by adapting the sampling strategy of a phased-array radar and a polarimetric scanning cloud radar, two different yet uniquely complementary systems, using real-time observations from a geostationary satellite, a surface camera and the radars themselves. The tailored pointing and increase in sensitivity realized through this framework, which we call MAAS (Mutlisensor Agile Adaptive Sampling), enables the steered radars to sample a diverse set of atmospheric phenomena such as shallow cumuli, lightning-induced ice crystal orientation and a series of waterspouts.
Currently, we are working on expanding the MAAS framework to optimize the sampling of a diverse pool of research platforms (scanning radars, mobile radars, Doppler lidars, research aircrafts) for a large field experiment in the Houston TX area scheduled for the summer of 2021.
The field experiment is supported by the National Science Foundation and is entitled: “Experiment of Sea Breeze Convection, Aerosols, Precipitation and Environment (ESCAPE)”. The overarching scientific objective of ESCAPE is to collect and analyze observations of the fundamental process-level coupling between convective cloud vertical motions (kinematics), microphysics, and precipitation production across a full range of cloud environments (including background aerosol conditions) and meteorological regimes, throughout their lifecycle. ESCAPE is scheduled to take place in the Houston area, TX from June 10 to July 25. The observational platforms involved in the ESCAPE field campaign include two aircrafts, the NCAR C-130 and the SPEC Learjet, three mobile X-band radars, one mobile Doppler lidar truck and one transportable C-band radar. In addition, the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) funded TRacking Aerosols Convection interactions ExperRiment (TRACER) field campaign scheduled for the period from 15 April 2021 through 15 April 2022 with an Intensive Observation Period (IOP) from 01 June through 30 September 2021 in Houston TX.
Currently, we are working on expanding the MAAS framework to optimize the sampling of a diverse pool of research platforms (scanning radars, mobile radars, Doppler lidars, research aircrafts) for a large field experiment in the Houston TX area scheduled for the summer of 2021.
The field experiment is supported by the National Science Foundation and is entitled: “Experiment of Sea Breeze Convection, Aerosols, Precipitation and Environment (ESCAPE)”. The overarching scientific objective of ESCAPE is to collect and analyze observations of the fundamental process-level coupling between convective cloud vertical motions (kinematics), microphysics, and precipitation production across a full range of cloud environments (including background aerosol conditions) and meteorological regimes, throughout their lifecycle. ESCAPE is scheduled to take place in the Houston area, TX from June 10 to July 25. The observational platforms involved in the ESCAPE field campaign include two aircrafts, the NCAR C-130 and the SPEC Learjet, three mobile X-band radars, one mobile Doppler lidar truck and one transportable C-band radar. In addition, the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) funded TRacking Aerosols Convection interactions ExperRiment (TRACER) field campaign scheduled for the period from 15 April 2021 through 15 April 2022 with an Intensive Observation Period (IOP) from 01 June through 30 September 2021 in Houston TX.