Weather radar calibration is a crucial factor to be considered for quantitative applications, such as QPE (Quantitative Precipitation Estimation), which is used as input for weather risks management. The present work proposes a novel approach to the end-to-end radar calibration method through the characterization of the radar weighting functions. These are Gaussian functions that model an additional attenuation factor to the radar received power. This approach, based on the inclusion these parameters, allow the obtainment of a calibrated equivalent reflectivity factor expression for a Doppler dual-polarization weather radar that operates in the X band. To calculate these parameters, a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) was implemented for suspending the calibration target with a well-defined cross-section and for measuring its inclination due to wind using an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)....

Weather radar calibration is a crucial factor to be considered for quantitative applications, such as QPE (Quantitative Precipitation Estimation), which is used as input for weather risks management. The present work proposes a novel approach to the end-to-end radar calibration method through the characterization of the radar weighting functions. These are Gaussian functions that model an additional attenuation factor to the radar received power. This approach, based on the inclusion these parameters, allow the obtainment of a calibrated equivalent reflectivity factor expression for a Doppler dual-polarization weather radar that operates in the X band. To calculate these parameters, a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) was implemented for suspending the calibration target with a well-defined cross-section and for measuring its inclination due to wind using an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)....