Japan's first weather radar (NMD-451)
JRC's Weather Radar history begins in 1954 with the construction of the very first japanese weather radar, the NMD-451. Over sisty years later, JRC has expanded to Asia, América and Europe, providing state of the art radars with solid state tecnology. See our timeline bellow for our list of inovations during this history.
| 1954 | Japan's first weather radar (NMD-451) |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan's first airport weather radar (JMA-225). |
| 1981 | Japan's first Doppler weather radar (JMM-1). |
| 2011 | World's first S-band solid-state weather radar (JMA-254). |
| 2013 | C-band solid-state weather radar (JMA-540). |
| 2014 | X-band solid-state compact weather radar (JMA-912). |
In modern days, JRC's Radar Systems are developed with solid state technology and offer high performance based on polymeric processing and pulse compression to monitor weather conditions and predict occurrences.
The models available in the market today are:
X BAND: JMA-912 (RAINWATCHER)
- All-In-One System
The JMA-912 system is a compact, all-in-one design consisting of an antenna, an antenna control unit, a transmitter/receiver unit, and a signal processor unit, all of which are housed in a 1.8m high and 1.8m diameter radome. This all-in-one radar can be easily transported and installed. Weather radar observation can be conducted by using only a general-purpose PC connected to the radar sensor by an optical LAN cable.
- Mobile or portable setup
The JMA-912 has a compact and rugged body. It can be used not only as a fixed station but also as a mobile or transportable station.
- High performance and resolution
The JMA-912 is a small mesh resolution weather radar and can be used for local observation such as to observe urban torrential rain. It has the sensitivity to detect a rain phenomenon of 1mm/h at observation range more than 80km. In addition, doppler speed is detected from differences between transmission frequency and reception frequency and each parameter of polarized wave is detected from dual polarization constitution.
- Flexibility and compatibility with Smarphones
The radar control software has a Web interface function. This function makes it possible to perform observation control, operation monitoring, editing of the observation schedule, and viewing of operation history including the alarm information and remote diagnostics of the radar from every PC connected on the network. In addition, it is compatible with Smartphones and Tablets.
C BAND: JMA-540
- Dual polarization
- Doppler function
- Solid state tecnology
- Low power consumption
- Short time start up, no tuning and pre-heating
- High accuracy rainfall sensor
- Higher reliability and performance
- Observation radius (range): 300 km
- Minimum observation mesh: 250 m
S BAND: JMA-254
- Doppler function
- Solid state tecnology
- Low power consumption
- Short time start up, no tuning and pre-heating
- High accuracy rainfall sensor
- Higher reliability and performance
- Observation radius (range): 450 km
- Minimum observation mesh: 500 m
COMPARISON
| JMA-912(X-band) | JMA-540(C-band) | JMA-254 Series(S-band) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doppler | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual polarization | Yes | Yes | No |
| Operating Frequency | 9.70-9.80GHz (9.35-9.70GHz*) |
5.6-5.65GHz (5.25-5.35, 5.65-5.80GHz*) |
2.7-2.9GHz |
| Observation Range | 80km@23dBz 120km@27.8dBz |
300km@18.4dBz 400km@23dBz |
400km@21.5dBz 450km@23dBz |
| Antenna Diameter | ≤1.2m(=3.9feet) | ≤4.3m(=14.1feet) | ≤5m(=16.4feet) |
| Radome Diameter | Approx.1.8m(=5.9feet) | Approx.7m(=23feet) | Approx.8m(=26.2feet) |
| Minimum Observation mesh | 150m mesh | 250m mesh | 250m mesh |
| Target | Local weather Mobile RADAR (High precision, low price,Space-saving, Mobile) |
Meso scale weather Airport weather conditions (Cost-benefit system) |
Wide area weather Typhoon,Hurricane,Cyclone (Long range observation) |
JMA-912 RAINWATCHER
Brochure (911 kB)
- All-In-One System
The JMA-912 system is a compact, all-in-one design consisting of an antenna, an antenna control unit, a transmitter/receiver unit, and a signal processor unit, all of which are housed in a 1.8m high and 1.8m diameter radome. This all-in-one radar can be easily transported and installed. Weather radar observation can be conducted by using only a general-purpose PC connected to the radar sensor by an optical LAN cable.
JMA-912 fixed setup
- Mobile or portable setup
The JMA-912 has a compact and rugged body. It can be used not only as a fixed station but also as a mobile or transportable station.
JMA-912 - Mobile station
- High performance and resolution
The JMA-912 is a small mesh resolution weather radar and can be used for local observation such as to observe urban torrential rain. It has the sensitivity to detect a rain phenomenon of 1mm/h at observation range more than 80km. In addition, doppler speed is detected from differences between transmission frequency and reception frequency and each parameter of polarized wave is detected from dual polarization constitution.
- Flexibility and compatibility with Smarphones
The radar control software has a Web interface function. This function makes it possible to perform observation control, operation monitoring, editing of the observation schedule, and viewing of operation history including the alarm information and remote diagnostics of the radar from every PC connected on the network. In addition, it is compatible with Smartphones and Tablets.
Benefits of JMA-912
- Compact design
- High reliability and performance
- Dual polarization
- The antenna can be controlled variably in elevation steps from -2° to 182°, allowing the vertical section data across a wide coverage.
- The high-precision rainfall measurement becomes possible by using the phase information without the effect of radio wave attenuation through heavy rain area. Also, it is possible to guess the kinds of particles (raindrops, hails or graupels) based on the differential reflectivity of raindrops.
- Smartphone and tablet compatibility
- By using the information obtained from this radar, rapid and effective countermeasures for disasters such as river floods in urban areas and flowing debris in mounatainous areas can be made.
JMA-912 RAINWATCHER RADAR SYSTEM
Based on the diagram bellow, we can see how easy it is to aquire the JMA-912's data. All you need is a personal computer conected to the radar through a LAN cable and you are able to control the radar and aquire it's data. This is called the Radar Workstation. You are also able to expand this through a Network to control the radar remotely.
J-BIRDS SOFTWARE
J-BIRDS software allows data analysis and integration with many features. Particularly, the RAINWATCHER, when connected to a server, may be utilized to create better forecast of landslides and flods.
Weather radar data processing (J-BIRDS)
Data analysis of radar for predicting landslides and floodings
JMA-912 SPECIFICATIONS
| Type | Polarimetric radar with solid-state technology |
|---|---|
| Operation Frequency | 9.70-9.80GHz(Option:9.35-9.70GHz) |
| Observation Range | 80km@23dBz, 120km@27.8dBz |
| Antena Diameter | ≤1.2m |
| Antenna Gain | ≥38dB |
| Half Power Beam width(typical) | ≤2.0° |
| Polarization | Linear Horizontal & Vertical Dual Polarization(Simultaneous & Alternative H/V) |
| Angle Span | AZ:Full 360° EL:-2 to +182° (0.1° step) |
| Scannig Speed | AZ:0-6rpm(0.1rpm step) EL:0-3rpm(0.1rpm step) |
| Radome size | Approx. φ 1.8m |
| Transmitter Type | ≤60m/s(gust) |
| Tipo de transmissor | Solid-State Power Amplifier |
| Peak Power | 125W(H)+125W(V) |
| Basic Data Output | Uncorrected Reflectivity(Pr) Precipitation Intensity(Zhh) Mean Radial Velocity(Vh) Spectral Width(Wh) |
| Polarimetic Data Output | Differential Reflectivity(ZDR) Differential Phase Sift(φDP) Specific Differential Phase Shift(KDP) Polarimetric Correlation Coefficient(ρhv) Liner Depolarization Ratio(LDRvh/hv) |
| Power Consumption | ≤450VA@100-230Vac, 1φ2W, 50/60Hz |
CASE STUDIES
State Government of Paraná - SIMEPAR
The X Band weather radar JMA-912, provided to the government of the state Paraná was installed in SIMEPAR's headquarters. The equipment will be monitoring the greater Curitiba, acquiring data for disaster prevention. 01/02/2018
JMA-540
Features
- Dual polarization
- Doppler function
- Solid state tecnology
- Low power consumption
- Short time start up, no tuning and pre-heating
- High accuracy rainfall sensor
- Higher reliability and performance
- Observation radius (range): 300 km
- Minimum observation mesh: 250 m
JMA-254
Features
- Doppler function
- Solid state tecnology
- Low power consumption
- Short time start up, no tuning and pre-heating
- High accuracy rainfall sensor
- Higher reliability and performance
- Observation radius (range): 450 km
- Minimum observation mesh: 500 m
Tecnology
Solid state tecnology
JRC's new radars are developed with solid-state architecture, this means it's components are primarily semiconductors. With less moving mecânical parts componentes the systema becomes more efficient and compact.
Moreover, JRC's new architecture integrates an advanced signal processing technology that detects and displays information at a new level. These dedicated signal processing circuits are producing higher capability than a klystron radar or a magnetron radar, greatly exceeding detection performance.
Low cost maintenance
The radar integrates a highly reliable solid-state transmitter in place of a life limited klystron or magnetron. The solid-state radar provides higher reliability and performance and will keep maintenance costs to a minimum.
Solid State Power Amplifier ((Radar Banda-C)
J-BIRD Software
J-BIRDS software allows data analysis and integration with many features. Particularly, the RAINWATCHER, when connected to a server, may be utilized to create better forecast of landslides and flods.
Weather radar data processing (J-BIRDS)
Data analysis of radar for predicting landslides and floodings