Design and Implementation of a W-band Continuous Wave Cloud Radar and Its User-control Software

Clouds, with a global average occurrence rate exceeding 60%, represent one of the greatest sources of uncertainty regarding future climate change. Millimeter-wave radar can detect characteristic information about particles within clouds, thereby enhancing our understanding of clouds' role in the Earth’s atmosphere. Compared to the Ka-band, the W-band offers higher sensitivity, enabling the detection of a wider range of cloud types. This article presents a scanning-capable W-band continuous wave cloud radar. Additionally, it introduces a supporting user-control software designed to automatically configure radar components for various detection modes, ensuring intelligent and long-term operation of the cloud radar.