A Novel Calibration Method for Networked X-Band Radar Based on Opposing RHI Scans

Abstract

Weather radar calibration is essential for ensuring data consistency and quantitative precipitation estimation in X-band radar networks. Existing absolute calibration methods (e.g., metal sphere, horn antenna) suffer from high cost, poor timeliness, and difficulty in automation due to meteorological conditions and airspace restrictions, while spatiotemporal matching methods based on volume scan data suffer from interpolation and matching inaccuracies. To address these issues, this study proposes a collaborative calibration method for X-band radar networks based on opposing Range–Height Indicator (RHI) scans. The method uses a rigorously calibrated reference radar as a benchmark and performs opposing RHI scans with the radar under calibration to obtain synchronized observations within the spatial overlap region. Precise spatial matching is achieved using the nearest-neighbor algorithm based on beam-broadening cross-coverage thresholds, and bias is extracted using both the midline 9-point averaging method (midline method) and spatially constrained regional Statistics method (regional method). Based on a total of 58 sets of opposing RHI scanning cases conducted under stratiform precipitation, scattered precipitation, and weak cloud conditions, the results show that under conditions where echo continuity is maintained near the midline of stratiform and scattered precipitation, both the midline method and the regional method can obtain stable matching data. The midline method achieves a median correlation coefficient (0.821–0.942) higher than that of the regional method (0.860–0.872), and its bias standard deviation remains relatively stable (midline method: 1.39–2.20 dB; regional method: 2.61–3.16 dB). Continuous RHI calibration tests confirm that within a 30-min window, the fluctuation of the data matching correlation coefficient is less than 0.05, and the fluctuation of the bias mean is controlled within ±0.3 dB. Under weak cloud conditions, although the midline method can still achieve a high correlation coefficient, the correctness of its results still requires auxiliary validation through other calibration means. This study provides a relatively efficient and effective technical approach for the automated collaborative calibration of dense X-band radar networks.