WO2021140633A1 - Radar supervising device, radar supervising method, and weather radar system - Google Patents

Abstract

This radar supervising device (2) is provided with: a weather information acquisition unit (11) which acquires weather information that indicates an area in which any of a droplet or an ice crystal floats in the air; a selection unit (12) which specifies, among a plurality of N weather radar devices, one or more weather radar devices (1) that are present within an area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit, selects some or all of the weather radar devices from among the specified one or more weather radar devices as first weather radar devices that perform both emission of a radiowave and reception of a radar echo, and selects, as second weather radar devices that receive a radar echo, some or all of the weather radar devices from among weather radar devices other than the first weather radar devices among the plurality of weather radar devices; and a control unit (13) which outputs, to the selected first weather radar devices, a first control signal that instructs the emission of the radiowave to a space, and outputs, to the selected second weather radar devices, a second control signal that instructs the stoppage of the emission of the radiowave to the space.

Description

Radar control device, radar control method and weather radar system

The present disclosure relates to a radar control device and a radar control method that output a control signal to a weather radar device, and a weather radar system including a plurality of weather radar devices.

There is a weather radar system in which multiple weather radar devices are networked.
For example, radio waves radiated from another weather radar device near the installation position may directly arrive at each weather radar device.
Radio waves that come directly from other weather radar devices become interference signals for radar echoes, causing radio wave interference. The occurrence of radio wave interference causes deterioration of meteorological observation in the meteorological radar device.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a radar system including a plurality of transmitting / receiving stations and a plurality of receiving stations. The transmitting / receiving station is a radar that radiates radio waves into space and receives radar echoes related to the radio waves to perform meteorological observation. The receiving station is a radar that performs meteorological observation by receiving a radar echo related to a radio wave radiated from the transmitting / receiving station.
In the radar system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since only the transmitting and receiving stations are responsible for radiating radio waves, radio wave interference is reduced as compared with a radar system in which all radars radiate radio waves.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-65510

In the radar system disclosed in Patent Document 1, among a plurality of radars, the radar that is the transmitting / receiving station is fixed, and the radar that is the receiving station is fixed. Therefore, since the number of radars responsible for radiating radio waves is always the same, there is a problem that the accuracy of meteorological observation may decrease.

This disclosure is made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and among a plurality of weather radar devices, the weather radar device responsible for emitting radio waves is always the same weather radar device, rather than the weather observation device. The purpose is to obtain a radar control device, a radar control method, and a weather radar system that can improve the accuracy.

The radar control device according to the present disclosure includes a weather information acquisition unit that acquires weather information indicating an area in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere, and a weather information acquisition unit among a plurality of weather radar devices. One or more weather radar devices existing in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the above are specified, and among the specified one or more weather radar devices, some or all the weather radar devices are used. The radar device is selected as the first weather radar device that both emits radio waves and receives radar echoes, and among the plurality of weather radar devices, one of the weather radar devices other than the first weather radar device. For the selection unit that selects the weather radar device of the unit or all the weather radar devices as the second weather radar device that receives the radar echo, and the first weather radar device selected by the selection unit. A first control signal instructing the emission of radio waves into the space is output, and a second control signal instructing the second weather radar device selected by the selection unit to stop radiating the radio waves into the space is output. It is provided with a control unit for output.

According to the present disclosure, among a plurality of meteorological radar devices, one or more meteorological radar devices existing in the area indicated by the meteorological information acquired by the meteorological information acquisition unit are specified, and one or more specified one or more. Among the meteorological radar devices of the above, some or all meteorological radar devices are selected as the first meteorological radar device that both emits radio waves and receives radar echoes, and a plurality of meteorological radar devices are selected. Among the meteorological radar devices other than the first meteorological radar device, some or all meteorological radar devices are selected as the second meteorological radar device that receives radar echo. The radar control device was configured to include a unit. Therefore, the radar control device according to the present disclosure can improve the accuracy of meteorological observation as compared with a plurality of meteorological radar devices in which the meteorological radar device responsible for emitting radio waves is always the same meteorological radar device.

It is a block diagram which shows the weather radar system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the radar integrated apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows the hardware of the radar integrated apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware configuration diagram of the computer when the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. It is a block diagram which shows the weather radar apparatus 1 of the weather radar system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the radar control apparatus 2. It is a block diagram which shows the radar integrated apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows the hardware of the radar integrated apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the radar control apparatus 2. It is a block diagram which shows the weather radar system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram which shows the meteorological radar apparatus 1 of the meteorological radar system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram which shows the weather radar apparatus 5 dedicated to transmission. It is a block diagram which shows the weather radar apparatus 6 only for reception.

Hereinafter, in order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, a mode for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a weather radar system according to the first embodiment.
The weather radar system includes a plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, a radar control device 2, and a communication network 3. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
The plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N and the radar control device 2 are connected by a communication network 3.

The weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., N) has a transmitting unit 71 that radiates radio waves into space and a receiving unit 72 that receives radar echoes (see FIG. 5). ..
When each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N is not distinguished, it may be described as the weather radar device 1.

The radar control device 2 is one or more weather radar devices existing in a region in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere among a plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N. Of 1, some weather radar devices 1 or all weather radar devices 1 are selected as the first weather radar device 1 that both emits radio waves and receives radar echoes. Areas where either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere are areas where either rain, snow or hail is falling, or where fog is occurring.
The radar control device 2 is a part of the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1 among the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, or all of the weather radar devices 1. The weather radar device 1 is selected as the second weather radar device 1 that receives the radar echo.
When the radar control device 2 selects a part of the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1 as the second weather radar device 1 that receives the radar echo, for example, , Select the weather radar device 1 shown below. The radar control device 2 is from the weather radar device 1 installed at a position where the radio waves radiated from the first weather radar device 1 do not directly arrive, or from the first weather radar device 1. Even if the radiated radio wave arrives directly, the weather radar device 1 whose strength of the received radio wave is equal to or less than the threshold Ths is selected. Further, the radar control device 2 is a weather radar capable of ignoring the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo by performing the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves directly coming from the first meteorological radar device 1. Select device 1.

The radar control device 2 radiates radio waves from the transmission unit 71 included in the first weather radar device 1.
The radar control device 2 stops the radiation of radio waves from the transmission unit 71 included in the second weather radar device 1.
The radar control device 2 stops the radiation of radio waves from the transmission unit 71 included in the non-reception weather radar device 1, and the radar echo in the reception unit 72 included in the non-reception weather radar device 1. Stop receiving.

The communication network 3 is realized by the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.
A plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N and a radar control device 2 are connected to the communication network 3.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a radar control device 2 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the radar control device 2 according to the first embodiment.
The radar control device 2 includes a weather information acquisition unit 11, a selection unit 12, and a control unit 13.
The weather information acquisition unit 11 is realized by, for example, the weather information acquisition circuit 21 shown in FIG.
The meteorological information acquisition unit 11 acquires meteorological information indicating a region in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere from, for example, a meteorological information distribution device (not shown) via a communication network 3.
The weather information acquisition unit 11 outputs the weather information to the selection unit 12.

The selection unit 12 is realized by, for example, the selection circuit 22 shown in FIG.
The selection unit 12 selects one or more weather radar devices 1 existing in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11 among the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N. Identify.
The selection unit 12 causes a part of the weather radar devices 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 of the specified one or more weather radar devices 1 to both emit radio waves and receive radar echoes. Select as the weather radar device 1 of.
Among the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, the selection unit 12 includes some weather radar devices 1 or all the weather among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1. The radar device 1 is selected as the second weather radar device 1 that receives the radar echo.
In the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 2, the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is a weather radar device 1 for both transmission and reception that emits radio waves and receives radar echoes. However, this is only an example, and the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 may be a weather radar device 1 that emits radio waves but does not receive radar echoes.
In the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 2, the second weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is a reception-only weather radar device 1 that receives radar echoes without radiating radio waves.

When the selection unit 12 selects a part of the weather radar devices 1 among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1 as the second weather radar device 1, for example, the weather radar device 1 shown below. Select. The selection unit 12 emits radiation from the weather radar device 1 or the first weather radar device 1 installed at a position where the radio waves radiated from the first weather radar device 1 do not directly arrive. Even if the radio wave arrives directly, the weather radar device 1 whose strength of the received radio wave is equal to or less than the threshold Ths is selected. Further, the selection unit 12 is a weather radar device capable of ignoring the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo by performing the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves directly coming from the first weather radar device 1. Select 1.
When the selection unit 12 selects a part of the weather radar device 1 as the second weather radar device 1, among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1, for example, the strength of the received radio wave. The weather radar device 1 having a value greater than the threshold Ths is selected as the non-reception weather radar device 1. Further, even if the selection unit 12 performs the suppression processing of the radiated radio wave directly coming from the first weather radar device 1, the interference of the radiated radio wave with the received radar echo cannot be ignored. 1 is selected as the non-reception weather radar device 1.
The threshold value Ths may be stored in the internal memory of the selection unit 12 or may be given from the outside of the selection unit 12.
The selection unit 12 moves with the movement of the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11, the first weather radar device 1, the second weather radar device 1, and the non-reception weather radar device 1. Change each of them.

The control unit 13 is realized by, for example, the control circuit 23 shown in FIG.
The control unit 13 outputs a first control signal instructing the radiation of radio waves into the space to the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12.
The control unit 13 outputs a second control signal instructing the second weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 to stop radiating radio waves into the space.
The control unit 13 outputs a third control signal instructing the non-reception weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 to stop radiating radio waves into the space and stop receiving radio waves.

In FIG. 2, it is assumed that each of the weather information acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 12, and the control unit 13, which are the components of the radar control device 2, is realized by the dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. .. That is, it is assumed that the radar control device 2 is realized by the weather information acquisition circuit 21, the selection circuit 22, and the control circuit 23.
Each of the weather information acquisition circuit 21, selection circuit 22, and control circuit 23 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable). Gate Array) or a combination of these is applicable.

The components of the radar control device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, but the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. It is also good.
The software or firmware is stored as a program in the memory of the computer. A computer means hardware for executing a program, and corresponds to, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). To do.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like.
When the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a program for causing a computer to execute each processing procedure of the weather information acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 12, and the control unit 13 is stored in the memory 31. Then, the processor 32 of the computer executes the program stored in the memory 31.

Further, FIG. 3 shows an example in which each of the components of the radar control device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and FIG. 4 shows an example in which the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. There is. However, this is only an example, and some components in the radar control device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software, firmware, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a weather radar device 1 of the weather radar system according to the first embodiment.
The weather radar device 1 includes a digital circuit 41, an analog circuit 42, an antenna 43, a storage device 44, a signal processing device 45, and a display device 46.
The digital circuit 41 includes a digital beamforming control unit (hereinafter referred to as “DBF control unit”) 51, a pulse generation unit 52, a transmission control unit 53, and a reception control unit 54.
The analog circuit 42 includes an oscillation unit 61, a digital-to-analog conversion unit (hereinafter referred to as “D / A conversion unit”) 62, a frequency conversion unit 63, a signal amplification unit 64, a switching unit 65, an out-of-band component removal unit 66, and a frequency. It includes a conversion unit 67 and an analog-to-digital conversion unit (hereinafter, referred to as “A / D conversion unit”) 68.

Each of the pulse generation unit 52, the transmission control unit 53, the oscillation unit 61, the D / A conversion unit 62, the frequency conversion unit 63, the signal amplification unit 64, the switching unit 65, and the antenna 43 is included in the transmission unit 71.
Each of the antenna 43, the oscillation unit 61, the switching unit 65, the out-of-band component removing unit 66, the frequency conversion unit 67, the A / D conversion unit 68, and the reception control unit 54 is included in the reception unit 72.
The transmitting unit 71 radiates radio waves into space, and the receiving unit 72 receives radar echoes, which are radio waves reflected by water droplets or ice crystals constituting clouds.

The DBF control unit 51 is realized by, for example, an FPGA.
When the DBF control unit 51 receives the first control signal instructing the radiation of radio waves into the space from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the DBF control unit 51 starts the execution of the transmission DBF in the transmission control unit 53.
When the DBF control unit 51 receives a second control signal instructing the stop of radiation of radio waves to the space from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the DBF control unit 51 stops the execution of the transmission DBF in the transmission control unit 53. ..
When the DBF control unit 51 receives a third control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3 to instruct each of the stop of radiating the radio wave into the space and the stop of receiving the radio wave, the transmission control unit 53 causes the transmission control unit 53 to stop. The execution of the transmission DBF is stopped, and the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54 is stopped.
The DBF control unit 51 controls the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54 if the third control signal is not received from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3.

The pulse generator 52 is realized by, for example, a pulse generator.
The pulse generation unit 52 generates, for example, a linear chirped pulse disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 below as a transmission pulse, and outputs the transmission pulse to the transmission control unit 53.
[Non-Patent Document 1]
PeyTon Z. Peebles, Jr., “RADAR PRINCIPLES,” WILEY INTERSCIENCE, America, 1998
In the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the pulse generation unit 52 generates a linear chirped pulse as a transmission pulse. However, this is only an example, and the pulse generation unit 52 may generate a non-linear chirped pulse disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 below as a transmission pulse. Further, the pulse generation unit 52 may generate an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3 below instead of the transmission pulse, and output the FMCW to the transmission control unit 53. ..
[Non-Patent Document 2]
Mariusz Zych, “Suppression of GPR range sidelobes based on NLFM signal”, IRS 2012, pp.454-458
[Non-Patent Document 3]
Yeonghwan Ju, Youngseok Jin and Jonghun Lee, “Design and implementation of a 24 GHz FMCW radar system for automotive applications”, 2014 International Radar Conference, pp.1-4.

The sequence of transmission pulses output from the pulse generation unit 52 to the transmission control unit 53 may be, for example, a pulse sequence having a different PRF (Pulse Repetition Frequency) for staggering (see Non-Patent Document 4). ..
Further, the transmission pulse output from the pulse generation unit 52 to the transmission control unit 53 may be a pulse subjected to inter-pulse modulation for separating multiple-order echoes (see Non-Patent Document 5).
[Non-Patent Document 4]
Cuong M. Nguyen, Dmitri N. Moisseev, and V. Chandrasekar, “A time domain clutter filter for staggered PRT and dual-PRF measurements”, 2007 IEEE IGARSS, pp.3325-3328
[Non-Patent Document 5]
C. Frush, RF Doviak, M. Sachidananda and DS Zrnic, “Application of the SZ Phase Code to Mitigate Range-Velocity Ambiguities in Weather Radars”, Journal of Atmospheric and oceanic technology, vol.19, pp.413-430, April , 2002.

The transmission control unit 53 is realized by, for example, an FPGA.
The transmission control unit 53 forms one or more transmission beams from the transmission pulses output from the pulse generation unit 52 according to the control of the transmission DBF by the DBF control unit 51, and D / D / digital signals indicating the respective transmission beams. Output to A conversion unit 62.
The reception control unit 54 is realized by, for example, an FPGA.
The reception control unit 54 executes the reception DBF for the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 68 according to the control of the reception DBF by the DBF control unit 51.
The reception control unit 54 outputs the digital signal after the reception DBF is executed to the storage device 44.

The oscillator 61 is realized by, for example, a signal oscillator.
The oscillating unit 61 oscillates a reference signal and outputs the reference signal to each of the frequency conversion unit 63 and the frequency conversion unit 67.
The D / A conversion unit 62 converts the digital signal output from the transmission control unit 53 into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal to the frequency conversion unit 63.
The frequency conversion unit 63 is realized by, for example, a mixer.
The frequency conversion unit 63 mixes the reference signal output from the oscillation unit 61 with the analog signal output from the D / A conversion unit 62 to obtain the frequency of the analog signal output from the D / A conversion unit 62. , RF (Radio Frequency).
The frequency conversion unit 63 outputs a radio frequency signal, which is an analog signal after frequency conversion, to the signal amplification unit 64.

The signal amplification unit 64 is realized by, for example, an amplifier.
The signal amplification unit 64 amplifies the radio frequency signal output from the frequency conversion unit 63, and outputs the amplified radio frequency signal to the switching unit 65.
The changeover unit 65 is realized by, for example, a changeover switch.
When the switching unit 65 receives the amplified radio frequency signal from the signal amplification unit 64, the switching unit 65 outputs the radio frequency signal as a transmission signal to the antenna 43.
When the switching unit 65 receives the received signal from the antenna 43, the switching unit 65 outputs the received signal to the out-of-band component removing unit 66.

The antenna 43 is realized by, for example, an array antenna having a plurality of element antennas.
The antenna 43 radiates radio waves related to the transmission signal output from the switching unit 65 into space.
The direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 43 is changed for each pulse by electron scanning by the transmitting DBF.
In the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the transmission control unit 53 changes the radiation direction of the radio wave by executing the transmission DBF. However, this is only an example. For example, when the antenna 43 is installed on the rotary table and the DBF control unit 51 or the transmission control unit 53 controls to rotate the rotary table, the radiation direction of the radio wave is changed. It may be a thing.
Further, the antenna 43 receives the radar echo and outputs the received signal of the radar echo to the switching unit 65.

The out-of-band component removing unit 66 is realized by a low-pass filter, a band-pass filter, or the like.
The out-of-band component removing unit 66 removes unnecessary signals outside the desired band included in the received signal output from the switching unit 65, and outputs the received signal within the desired band to the frequency conversion unit 67.
The frequency conversion unit 67 is realized by, for example, a mixer.
The frequency conversion unit 67 mixes the reference signal output from the oscillation unit 61 with the reception signal output from the out-of-band component removal unit 66 to obtain the frequency of the reception signal output from the out-of-band component removal unit 66. , Convert to baseband frequency.
The A / D conversion unit 68 converts a baseband signal, which is a reception signal after frequency conversion by the frequency conversion unit 67, from an analog signal to a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the reception control unit 54.

The storage device 44 is a storage medium that stores the digital signal after the reception DBF is executed by the reception control unit 54, the result of the meteorological observation by the signal processing device 45, and the like.
The signal processing device 45 performs signal processing necessary for meteorological observation based on the digital signal stored in the storage device 44, and outputs the digital signal after the signal processing to a meteorological observation unit (not shown).
In the weather radar device shown in FIG. 5, the signal processing device 45 performs signal processing necessary for meteorological observation based on a digital signal. However, this is only an example, and the signal processing device 45 may perform meteorological observation based on the digital signal.
The signal processing device 45 stores the result of the meteorological observation by the meteorological observation unit (not shown) or the result of the meteorological observation carried out by itself in the storage device 44.
The display device 46 is realized by, for example, a display.
The display device 46 displays, for example, the result of meteorological observation.

Next, the operation of the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the radar control device 2. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that N = 10 and the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1 includes 10 weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10.
In the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1, the initial setting information is stored in the internal memory of the selection unit 12 in the radar control device 2. However, the initial setting information may be given to the selection unit 12 from the outside of the radar control device 2.
The initial setting information is the first weather radar in all areas where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists, under the condition that neither water droplets nor ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere. Information indicating the weather radar device 1 selected as the device 1. Hereinafter, the region where neither water droplets nor ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere is referred to as a "sunny region".

When all of the areas where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are present are "sunny areas", radiation is emitted from any of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10. The amount of attenuation of the generated radio waves is also small. Therefore, if the number of weather radar devices 1 that radiate radio waves is large, there is a high possibility that radio wave interference will occur. Therefore, in the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1, only one of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 is selected as the first weather radar device 1-5. It is assumed that the initial setting information is stored in the internal memory of the selection unit 12.

The weather information acquisition unit 11 of the radar control device 2 acquires weather information indicating a region in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere (hereinafter, referred to as a “water-containing region”) (step in FIG. 6). ST1).
The weather information acquisition unit 11 outputs the weather information to the selection unit 12.

When the selection unit 12 of the radar control device 2 receives the weather information from the weather information acquisition unit 11, the area in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is "water" based on the weather information. It is determined whether it is a "containing region" or a "sunny region".
The selection unit 12 indicates the initial setting information if all the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exist are "sunny regions" (step ST2 in FIG. 6: YES). The weather radar device 1-5 is selected as the first weather radar device 1-5 that both emits radio waves and receives radar echoes (step ST3 in FIG. 6).

The selection unit 12 is among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10, among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10 other than the first weather radar device 1-5. , A part of the weather radar device 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 are selected as the second weather radar device 1 that receives the radar echo (step ST4 in FIG. 6).
When the area where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is the "sunny area", the weather radar devices 1-4 and 4 installed next to the first weather radar device 1-5. It is assumed that the radio waves radiated from the first weather radar device 1-5 directly arrive at each of 1-6. Under this circumstance, when the selection unit 12 selects each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 as the second weather radar device 1, each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 becomes the first. Of the radio waves radiated from the weather radar device 1-5, the radio waves that have arrived directly are received. If the strength of the received radio wave is larger than the threshold Ths, the received radio wave becomes an interference signal with respect to the radar echo, and the accuracy of each meteorological observation in the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 deteriorates. Therefore, if the strength of the received radio wave is larger than the threshold value Ths, it is desirable not to select each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 as the second weather radar device 1. However, since each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 is a second weather radar device 1 that does not emit radio waves, the radio waves radiated from each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 are directly emitted. It never arrives at the first weather radar device 1-5. Therefore, even if each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 is selected as the second weather radar device 1, the accuracy of the weather observation in the first weather radar device 1-5 does not deteriorate.
From the above, even if each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 is selected as the second weather radar device 1, all of the weather radar devices 1-4 to 1-6 are used as the first weather radar device 1. The accuracy of meteorological observation of the entire weather radar system is not lower than when it is selected.

Hereinafter, a specific example of selection of the second weather radar device 1 by the selection unit 12 will be described.
The selection unit 12 is a radio wave radiated from the first weather radar device 1-5 among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10 other than the first weather radar device 1-5. Each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3 and 1-7 to 1-10 installed at a position where is not directly arrived is selected as the second weather radar device 1.
Further, in the selection unit 12, when each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 receives the radio waves directly arriving from the radio waves radiated from the first weather radar device 1-5, respectively. The strength of the received radio wave and the threshold Ths are compared. Information indicating the strength of the received radio wave shall be transmitted from each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 to the radar control device 2.
If the strength of each received radio wave is equal to or less than the threshold value Ths, the selection unit 12 selects each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 as the second weather radar device 1.
If the strength of each received radio wave is greater than the threshold Ths, the selection unit 12 does not select each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 as the second weather radar device 1, but the weather radar device 1 Each of -4, 1-6 is selected as the non-reception weather radar device 1 (step ST5 in FIG. 6).
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the selection unit 12 selects each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 as the non-reception weather radar device 1.

In the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 2, if the strength of the received radio waves of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 is equal to or less than the threshold Ths, the selection unit 12 selects the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-. Each of 6 is selected as the second weather radar device 1. Further, if the strength of the received radio waves of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 is greater than the threshold Ths, the selection unit 12 uses the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6 for non-reception. It is selected as the weather radar device 1.
However, this is only an example, and the selection unit 12 may select the second weather radar device 1 or the non-reception weather radar device 1 as follows.
Each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 carries out the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves directly coming from the first weather radar device 1-5. As the radiated radio wave suppression process, a known process such as a DBF process for forming a null beam in the direction of arrival of the radiated radio wave can be used.
If the selection unit 12 can ignore the interference of the radiated radio waves after the suppression process with respect to the radar echo received by each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6, the weather radar device 1-4, 1 Select each of -6 as the second weather radar device.
If the selection unit 12 cannot ignore the interference of the radiated radio waves after the suppression process with respect to the radar echo received by each of the weather radar devices 1-4, 1-6, the weather radar device 1-4, 1- Each of 6 is selected as a non-reception weather radar device.
The selection unit 12 determines that the interference of the radiated radio wave can be ignored if, for example, the ratio of the intensity of the radar echo to the strength of the radiated radio wave after the suppression process is larger than the reference signal-to-noise ratio. The selection unit 12 determines that the interference of the radiated radio wave cannot be ignored if, for example, the ratio of the intensity of the radar echo to the strength of the radiated radio wave after the suppression process is equal to or less than the reference signal-to-noise ratio.
The reference signal-to-noise ratio may be stored in the internal memory of the selection unit 12 or may be given from the outside of the selection unit 12.

The control unit 13 transmits a first control signal instructing the radiation of radio waves into the space to the first weather radar device 1-5 selected by the selection unit 12 via the communication network 3 (FIG. 6). Step ST6).
The control unit 13 transmits a second control signal instructing the stop of radiation of radio waves to the space via the communication network 3 to the second weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3 selected by the selection unit 12. It is transmitted to each of 1-7 to 1-10 (step ST7 in FIG. 6).
The control unit 13 is a non-reception weather radar device selected by the selection unit 12 via the communication network 3 for a third control signal instructing each of the stop of radiating the radio wave to the space and the stop of receiving the radio wave. It is transmitted to each of 1-4 and 1-6 (step ST8 in FIG. 6).

When the DBF control unit 51 of the first weather radar device 1-5 receives the first control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the DBF control unit 51 of the transmission control unit 53 of the transmission unit 71 receives the first control signal. Start implementation. In the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the first control signal is represented so as to be given to the DBF control unit 51 from the communication network 3 via the storage device 44. However, this is only an example, and the first control signal may be directly given to the DBF control unit 51 from the communication network 3.
When the transmission control unit 53 starts the execution of the transmission DBF, radio waves are radiated into space from the transmission unit 71 of the first weather radar device 1-5.

Each DBF control unit 51 in the second weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3, 1-7 to 1-10 receives a second control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3. Then, the execution of the transmission DBF in the transmission control unit 53 of the transmission unit 71 is stopped. In the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the second control signal is represented so as to be given from the communication network 3 to the DBF control unit 51 via the storage device 44. However, this is only an example, and the second control signal may be directly given to the DBF control unit 51 from the communication network 3.
When the transmission control unit 53 stops the execution of the transmission DBF, radio waves are sent into space from the respective transmission units 71 in the second weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10. Not radiated.

When each of the DBF control units 51 in the second weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 receives the third control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the transmission control of the transmission unit 71 is performed. The execution of the transmission DBF in the unit 53 is stopped, and the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54 is stopped.
The reception control unit 54 stops the execution of the reception DBF, so that the reception of the radar echo is stopped. Therefore, the result of the meteorological observation that may have deteriorated is not stored in the storage device 44.
Here, the reception control unit 54 has stopped the execution of the reception DBF. However, this is only an example, and the reception control unit 54 stops the operations of the out-of-band component removing unit 66, the frequency conversion unit 67, and the A / D conversion unit 68, respectively, so that the operation of the reception unit 72 is performed. May be stopped.

Each DBF control unit 51 in the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 to 1-10 controls the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54.
Each DBF control unit 51 in the weather radar device 1-1 to 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 to 1-10 controls the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54, whereby the weather radar device 1 Each receiving unit 72 in -1 to 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 to 1-10 receives the radar echo.

If any of the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists, the selection unit 12 of the radar control device 2 is a "water-containing region" (step ST2 in FIG. 6). : NO), one or more weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing region" are identified based on the weather information (step ST9 in FIG. 6).
The selection unit 12 selects a part of the weather radar device 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 among the specified one or more weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1 (step of FIG. 6). ST10).

If only one weather radar device 1 exists in the "water-containing region" among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10, the selection unit 12 first selects one weather radar device 1. Select as the weather radar device 1 of.
If the weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region" is, for example, only one of the weather radar devices 1-2, the selection unit 12 uses the weather radar device 1-2 as the first weather radar device. Select as 1-2.

The "water-containing region" may be divided into, for example, two. If there is only one weather radar device 1 existing in each of the two "water-containing areas", the selection unit 12 is one unit existing in each "water-containing area". The weather radar device 1 is selected as the first weather radar device 1.
If the weather radar device 1 existing in each "water-containing region" is, for example, the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-8, the selection unit 12 may select the weather radar device 1-2. And each of the weather radar device 1-8 is selected as the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-8.

If there are a plurality of weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing area", the selection unit 12 may use two or more weather radars among the plurality of weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing area". Device 1 is selected as the first weather radar device 1.
The attenuation of the radio wave radiated from the weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region" is larger than the attenuation amount of the radio wave radiated from the weather radar device 1 existing in the "sunny region". Therefore, when there are a plurality of weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing area", all the areas in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are present are "sunny areas". Compared with the case, even if the number of the first weather radar devices 1 is increased, the possibility of radio wave interference is low.

It is assumed that the weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region" is, for example, the weather radar device 1-2, 1-4, 1-5.
Hereinafter, a specific example of the selection unit 12 for selecting the first weather radar device 1 from the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 will be described.
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the respective installation conditions of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 satisfy the following conditions (1) and (2).

Condition (1)
If the area where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is a "sunny area", the weather radar is located at a position where radio wave interference occurs between the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other. Each of the devices 1-1 to 1-10 is installed.
Condition (2)
If the area where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is a "water-containing area", the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other are located at a position where radio wave interference does not occur. Each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 is installed.
The conditions (1) and (2) are merely examples, and the respective installation conditions of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are not limited to the conditions (1) and (2). For example, in the condition (1), the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 include the weather radar device 1 installed at a position where radio wave interference does not occur with the weather radar device 1 installed next to the weather radar device 1-1. It may be.

If the region in which each of the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 exists is a "water-containing region", the weather radar device 1-2, 1-4, 1 is determined from the condition (2). No matter which two weather radar devices 1 are selected from -5, radio interference does not occur between the two selected weather radar devices 1.
Therefore, the selection unit 12 selects each of any two weather radar devices 1 among the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 as the first weather radar device 1. The selection unit 12 selects, for example, each of the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-5 as the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-5.
Here, the selection unit 12 selects each of any two weather radar devices 1 among the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 as the first weather radar device 1. However, this is only an example, and if the condition (2) is satisfied, the selection unit 12 sets all of the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 to the first weather radar device 1-. It may be selected as 2,1-4,1-5.

When the selection unit 12 selects, for example, each of the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-5 as the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-5, the selection unit 12 selects the weather radar device 1-2, 1-5. Of the other weather radar devices 1, for example, all the weather radar devices are selected as the second weather radar devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10 (step of FIG. 6). ST4).
Here, the selection unit 12 selects all the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5 as the second weather radar device 1. When the selection unit 12 selects all the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5 as the second weather radar device 1, the non-reception weather radar device 1 is not selected. ..
However, this is only an example, and the selection unit 12 uses the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 other than the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5 among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10. Of 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10, a part of the weather radar device 1 may be selected as the second weather radar device 1. Therefore, the selection unit 12 may select, for example, the weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 as the second weather radar device. The selection unit 12 selects each of the weather radar devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 as the second weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6. In this case, each of the weather radar devices 1-7 to 1-10 is selected as the non-reception weather radar device 1-7 to 1-10 (step ST5 in FIG. 6).

If the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-5, the control unit 13 transmits the first control signal via the communication network 3. , Is transmitted to each of the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5 (step ST6 in FIG. 6).
If the second weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6, the control unit 13 has a second control signal. Is transmitted to each of the second weather radar devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 via the communication network 3 (step ST7 in FIG. 6).
If the non-reception weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar devices 1-7 to 1-10, the control unit 13 transmits a third control signal via the communication network 3. Then, it is transmitted to each of the non-reception weather radar devices 1-7 to 1-10 (step ST8 in FIG. 6).

When each of the DBF control units 51 in the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5 receives the first control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the transmission control of the transmission unit 71 is performed. The execution of the transmission DBF in the unit 53 is started.
When the transmission control unit 53 starts the execution of the transmission DBF, radio waves are radiated into space from the respective transmission units 71 in the first weather radar devices 1-2 and 1-5.

Each DBF control unit 51 in the second weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 receives a second control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3. Then, the execution of the transmission DBF in the transmission control unit 53 of the transmission unit 71 is stopped.
When the transmission control unit 53 stops the execution of the transmission DBF, the transmission unit 71 in each of the second weather radar devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10 Radio waves are not radiated into space.
When each DBF control unit 51 in the non-reception weather radar devices 1-7 to 1-10 receives a third control signal from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, the transmission unit 71 transmits. The execution of the transmission DBF in the control unit 53 is stopped, and the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54 of the reception unit 72 is stopped.
When the reception control unit 54 stops the execution of the reception DBF, the radar echo is not received.

Each DBF control unit 51 in the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-5 controls the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54.
Each DBF control unit 51 in the second weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 controls the execution of the reception DBF in the reception control unit 54.
Therefore, the respective receiving units 72 in the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-5 and the second weather radar device 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 1-6 receive the radar echo. Do.

The selection unit 12 of the radar control device 2 selects, for example, each of the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-5 as the first weather radar device 1-2, 1-5, and then the weather information acquisition unit. When the "water-containing region" indicated by the weather information output from 11 moves, one or more weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing region" after the movement are specified.
The selection unit 12 selects some of the specified weather radar devices 1 or all of the weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1.

By moving the "water-containing region" to the right in FIG. 1, the "water-containing region" is, for example, the region where each of the weather radar devices 1-2, 1-4, 1-5 exists. Therefore, it is assumed that the weather radar devices 1-6, 1-8, and 1-9 are moved to the existing areas.
In this case, the selection unit 12 uses, for example, the weather radar device 1-6 and the weather radar device 1-9 as the first weather radar device 1 among the weather radar devices 1-6, 1-8, 1-9. Select as -6, 1-9.

Further, the selection unit 12 uses a part of the weather radar devices 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar devices 1-6 and 1-9 as the second weather. Select as radar device 1.
The selection unit 12 selects the weather radar device 1 that is not selected as the second weather radar device 1 among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar devices 1-6 and 1-9 for non-reception. Select as device 1.

If the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar devices 1-6 and 1-9, the control unit 13 transmits the first control signal via the communication network 3. , 1st weather radar device 1-6, 1-9, respectively.
If the second weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar devices 1-7, 1-8, 1-10, the control unit 13 transmits the second control signal to the communication network. It is transmitted to each of the second weather radar devices 1-7, 1-8, and 1-10 via 3.
If the non-reception weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12 is, for example, the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-5, the control unit 13 transmits a third control signal via the communication network 3. Then, it is transmitted to each of the non-reception weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-5.

In the above-described first embodiment, the weather information acquisition unit 11 that acquires weather information indicating a region in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere, and a plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N. Among them, one or more weather radar devices 1 existing in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11 are specified, and a part of the specified one or more weather radar devices 1 is specified. The weather radar device 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 are selected as the first weather radar device 1 that emits radio waves and receives radar echoes, and a plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1- Among the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1, some of the weather radar devices 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 in N are the second weather radars that receive the radar echo. A first control signal instructing the emission of radio waves into space is output to the selection unit 12 selected as the device 1 and the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 12, and the selection unit 12 outputs the first control signal. The radar control device 2 is configured to include a control unit 13 that outputs a second control signal instructing the selected second weather radar device 1 to stop radiating radio waves into the space. Therefore, the radar control device 2 has a higher accuracy of weather observation than the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N in which the weather radar device 1 responsible for emitting radio waves is always the same weather radar device 1. Can be enhanced.

In the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1, the weather information acquisition unit 11 of the radar control device 2 collects weather information from a weather information distribution device (not shown) via a communication network 3.
However, this is only an example, and among a plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, some weather radar devices 1 carry out meteorological observation based on the radar echo received by the receiving unit 72. The water-containing region may be detected and the detection result of the water-containing region may be transmitted to the radar control device 2 as weather information.
Of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, for example, the signal processing device 45 of the weather radar device 1-5 or the meteorological observation unit (not shown) is received by the receiving unit 72 of the weather radar device 1-5. Water-containing areas are detected by conducting meteorological observations based on radar echoes. Then, the signal processing device 45 of the weather radar device 1-5 transmits the detection result of the water-containing region as weather information to the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3.
For example, the meteorological observation by the signal processing device 45 or the like of the meteorological radar device 1-5 is a wide-area meteorological observation including the entire region where each of the meteorological radar devices 1-1 to 1-N exists.
Of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N, the weather observation by the signal processing device 45 or the like of the weather radar device 1 other than the weather radar device 1-5 is performed more than the signal processing device 45 or the like of the weather radar device 1-5. It is a small area meteorological observation.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, the radar control device 2 in which the selection unit 14 determines the number of the first weather radar devices 1 based on the amount of rainfall will be described.
The amount of attenuation of radio waves radiated from each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 increases as the amount of rainfall increases.
The configuration showing the weather radar system according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration showing the weather radar system according to the first embodiment, and the configuration diagram showing the weather radar system according to the second embodiment is FIG. ..

In the weather radar system according to the second embodiment, it is assumed that the respective installation conditions of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 satisfy the following conditions (3) to (5).
Condition (3)
If the area where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is a "sunny area", the weather radar is located at a position where radio wave interference occurs between the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other. Each of the devices 1-1 to 1-10 is installed.
Condition (4)
When the region where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is the "water-containing region" and the rainfall amount R is _{less than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the distance between them is smaller than the _{distance threshold Th L.} If it is large, radio wave interference does not occur between the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other. However, if the distance between them is _{equal to or less than the distance threshold value Th L} , radio wave interference occurs between the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other.
Condition (5)
When the region where each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is the "water-containing region" and the rainfall amount R is equal to _{or greater than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the distance between them is equal to or less than the _{distance threshold Th L.} Even if there is, radio wave interference does not occur between the two weather radar devices 1 installed next to each other.
The conditions (3) to (5) are merely examples, and the respective installation conditions of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are not limited to the conditions (3) to (5).

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the radar control device 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the radar control device 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
In the weather radar system according to the second embodiment, it is assumed that the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11 includes information indicating the rainfall R.

The selection unit 14 is realized by, for example, the selection circuit 24 shown in FIG.
The internal memory of the selection unit 14 stores the rainfall threshold value Th _R and the distance threshold value Th _L. However, this is only an example, _{and each of the rainfall threshold value Th R} and the distance threshold value Th _L may be given to the selection unit 14 from the outside of the radar control device 2.
Similar to the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, the selection unit 14 exists in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11 among the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N. Identify one or more weather radar devices 1 that are

The selection unit 14 selects some of the specified weather radar devices 1 or all of the weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1. If the rainfall amount R indicated by the weather information is _{less than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the selection unit 14 has the weather of two of the specified one or more weather radar devices 1 whose distances from each other are larger than the _{distance threshold Th L.} The radar device 1 is selected as the first weather radar device 1. If the rainfall amount R is _{equal to or higher than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the selection unit 14 selects, for example, three weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1 among the specified one or more weather radar devices 1. To do.
Similar to the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, the selection unit 14 is a part of the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1 among the plurality of weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-N. The weather radar device 1 or all the weather radar devices 1 are selected as the second weather radar device 1.
Similar to the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, the selection unit 14 moves the "water-containing region" indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 11, and the first weather radar device 1 and the second. The weather radar device 1 and the non-reception weather radar device 1 are changed.

In FIG. 7, it is assumed that each of the weather information acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 14, and the control unit 13, which are the components of the radar control device 2, is realized by the dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. .. That is, it is assumed that the radar control device 2 is realized by the weather information acquisition circuit 21, the selection circuit 24, and the control circuit 23.
Each of the weather information acquisition circuit 21, the selection circuit 24, and the control circuit 23 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. To do.

The components of the radar control device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, but the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. It is also good.
When the radar control device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a program for causing a computer to execute each processing procedure of the weather information acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 14, and the control unit 13 is stored in the memory 31 shown in FIG. Stored. Then, the processor 32 shown in FIG. 4 executes the program stored in the memory 31.

Next, the operation of the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the radar control device 2. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that N = 10 and the weather radar system shown in FIG. 1 includes 10 weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10.
The meteorological information acquisition unit 11 acquires meteorological information indicating the “water-containing region” (step ST11 in FIG. 9).
The weather information acquisition unit 11 outputs the weather information to the selection unit 14.

When the selection unit 14 receives the weather information from the weather information acquisition unit 11, the area in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is the "water-containing area" based on the weather information. It is judged whether it is a "sunny area" or a "sunny area".
If all of the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are present are "sunny regions" (step ST12 of FIG. 9: YES), the selection unit 14 indicates the initial setting information. The weather radar device 1 is selected as the first weather radar device 1 (step ST13 in FIG. 9).
In the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 7, of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10, for example, only one of the weather radar devices 1-5 is selected as the first weather radar device 1-5. It is assumed that the initial setting information is stored in the internal memory of the selection unit 14. However, the initial setting information may be given to the selection unit 14 from the outside of the radar control device 2.

Similar to the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, the selection unit 14 is a weather radar device 1-1 to 1-1 other than the first weather radar device 1-5 among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10. Of 4, 1-6 to 1-10, some weather radar devices 1 or all weather radar devices 1 are selected as the second weather radar device 1 (step ST14 in FIG. 9).
Here, for convenience of explanation, the selection unit 14 is selected from the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-10 other than the first weather radar device 1-5, and the weather radar device 1-1. It is assumed that each of ~ 1-3, 1-7 ~ 1-10 is selected as the second weather radar device 1.
The selection unit 14 selects the non-reception weather radar device 1 in the same manner as the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 (step ST15 in FIG. 9).
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the selection unit 14 selects each of the weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 as the non-reception weather radar device 1.

The control unit 13 transmits a first control signal instructing the radiation of radio waves into the space to the first weather radar device 1-5 selected by the selection unit 14 via the communication network 3 (FIG. 9). Step ST16).
The control unit 13 transmits a second control signal instructing the stop of radiation of radio waves to the space via the communication network 3 to the second weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3 selected by the selection unit 14. It is transmitted to each of 1-7 to 1-10 (step ST17 in FIG. 9).
The control unit 13 is a non-reception weather radar device selected by the selection unit 14 via the communication network 3 for a third control signal instructing each of the stop of radiating the radio wave to the space and the stop of receiving the radio wave. It is transmitted to each of 1-4 and 1-6 (step ST18 in FIG. 9).

If any of the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is the "water-containing region", the selection unit 14 (in the case of step ST12: NO in FIG. 9). , One or more weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing region" are identified based on the weather information (step ST19 in FIG. 9).
The selection unit 14 compares the rainfall amount R of the “water-containing region” indicated by the meteorological information with the rainfall threshold value Th _R.
Here, for the sake of simplification of the description, it is assumed that the rainfall R in the “water-containing region” is uniform in the water-containing region.

If the rainfall amount R is _{smaller than the rainfall threshold Th R} (in the case of step ST20: YES in FIG. 9), the _{selection unit 14 has the distance threshold Th L between the specified one or more weather radar devices 1.} Two larger weather radar devices 1 are selected as the first weather radar device 1 (step ST21 in FIG. 9).
It is assumed that the weather radar devices existing in the "water-containing region" are, for example, the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4. At this time, the distance between the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-2 _{is larger than the distance threshold Th L} , and the distance between the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 is the distance threshold Th. Greater than _L. Further, the distance between the weather radar device 1-3 and the weather radar device 1-4 _{is larger than the distance threshold Th L} , and the distance between the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-4 is the distance threshold Th _L. Greater than. Further, the distance between the weather radar device 1-2 and the weather radar device 1-3 is larger than _{the distance threshold Th L.} However, it is assumed that the distance between the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-3 is equal to or less than _{the distance threshold value Th L.}
In this case, even if the selection unit 14 selects each of the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 as the first weather radar device 1-1, 1-2, the weather radar device 1-2, The radio waves radiated from each of the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 do not directly reach each of 1-3.
Therefore, the selection unit 14 selects, for example, each of the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 as the first weather radar device 1-1, 1-2.
Here, the selection unit 14 selects the two weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1. However, if there is only one weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region", the selection unit 14 selects one weather radar device 1 as the first weather radar device 1.

If the rainfall amount R is _{equal to or higher than the rainfall threshold Th R} (in the case of step ST20: NO in FIG. 9), the selection unit 14 has, for example, three weather radar devices among the specified one or more weather radar devices 1. 1 is selected as the first weather radar device 1 (step ST22 in FIG. 9).
If the weather radar devices existing in the "water-containing region" are the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, the selection unit 14 may select, for example, each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-3. Select as the weather radar device 1-1 to 1-3 of 1.
Here, the selection unit 14 selects the three weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1. The selection unit 14 may select each of the four weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4 as the first weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4.
If there is only one weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region", the selection unit 14 selects one weather radar device 1 as the first weather radar device 1. Further, if there are two weather radar devices 1 existing in the "water-containing region", the selection unit 14 selects the two weather radar devices 1 as the first weather radar device 1.

Therefore, in the radar control device 2 shown in FIG. 7, if all of the areas in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 are present are “sunny areas”, the selection unit 14 may be, for example, one unit. The weather radar device 1 of the above is selected as the first weather radar device 1.
If any of the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is a "water-containing region" and the rainfall amount R is _{smaller than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the selection unit 14 However, for example, two weather radar devices 1 are selected as the first weather radar device 1.
If any of the regions in which each of the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10 exists is a "water-containing region" and the rainfall amount R is equal to or higher than the _{rainfall threshold Th R, the selection unit 14} However, for example, three weather radar devices 1 are selected as the first weather radar device 1.

The selection unit 14 is a part of the weather radar devices 1 other than the first weather radar device 1 among the weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-10, or all the weather radar devices 1. 1 is selected as the second weather radar device 1 (step ST14 in FIG. 9).
When a part of the weather radar device 1 is selected as the second weather radar device 1, the selection unit 14 receives radio waves radiated from the first weather radar device 1 as in the selection unit 12 shown in FIG. Select the weather radar device 1 installed at a position that does not come directly. Alternatively, the selection unit 14 selects the weather radar device 1 whose strength of the received radio wave is equal to or less than the threshold value Ths, even if the radiated radio wave from the first weather radar device 1 directly arrives. Alternatively, the selection unit 14 can ignore the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo by performing the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves directly coming from the first weather radar device 1. Select 1.
When the weather radar device 1 existing in the "water-containing region" is selected as the second weather radar device 1, if the rainfall amount R is _{less than the rainfall threshold Th R} , the selection unit 14 uses the first weather radar. The weather radar device 1 whose distance from the device 1 _{is larger than the distance threshold Th L} is selected as the second weather radar device 1.
Here, for convenience of explanation, the selection unit 14 is one of the specified one or more weather radar devices 1-1 to 1-4, and the distance between the two first weather radars is larger than the _{distance threshold Th L.} It is assumed that the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 are selected as the device 1.
In this case, since the radio waves radiated from each of the weather radar device 1-1 and the weather radar device 1-4 do not directly reach the weather radar device 1-2, the selection unit 14 is the weather radar device. Select 1-2 as the second weather radar device 1.
Further, since the radio waves radiated from the weather radar device 1-1 directly arrive at the weather radar device 1-3, the selection unit 14 uses the weather radar device 1-3 for non-reception of the weather radar. Select as device 1 (step ST15 in FIG. 9).

The control unit 13 transmits the first control signal to the first weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 14 via the communication network 3 (step ST16 in FIG. 9).
The control unit 13 transmits the second control signal to the second weather radar device 1 selected by the selection unit 14 via the communication network 3 (step ST17 in FIG. 9).
The control unit 13 transmits a third control signal to each of the non-reception weather radar devices 1-4 and 1-6 selected by the selection unit 14 via the communication network 3 (step 9 in FIG. 9). ST18).

In the above embodiment 2, the radar control device 2 is configured so that the selection unit 14 determines the number of the first weather radar devices 1 based on the rainfall R indicated by the weather information. Therefore, the radar control device 2 can improve the accuracy of meteorological observation by increasing the number of the first meteorological radar devices 1 in an environment where radio wave interference does not occur.

Embodiment 3.
In the third embodiment, when the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) detects the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave, the weather radar system stops the operation of the receiving unit 72. Will be described.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a weather radar system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
The interference source 4 is, for example, a wireless LAN network device.
When the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) detects the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave, the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) stops the operation of its own receiving unit 72.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a weather radar device 1 of the weather radar system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
The interference source detection unit 81 performs detection processing of the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave.
When the interference source detection unit 81 detects the interference source 4, it outputs a detection signal indicating that the interference source 4 has been detected to the reception control unit 82, which will be described later.
The reception control unit 82 operates in the same manner as the reception control unit 54 shown in FIG. 5, and also stops the operation of the reception unit 72 when it receives a detection signal from the interference source detection unit 81.

Next, the operation of the weather radar system shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
Here, only the parts different from the weather radar system according to the first and second embodiments will be described.
The interference source detection unit 81 of the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) executes the detection process of the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave.
Since the interference source 4 detection process itself by the interference source detection unit 81 is a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
When the interference source detection unit 81 detects the interference source 4, it outputs a detection signal indicating that the interference source 4 has been detected to the reception control unit 82.

When the reception control unit 82 receives the detection signal from the interference source detection unit 81, for example, the reception unit 82 stops the operations of the out-of-band component removal unit 66, the frequency conversion unit 67, and the A / D conversion unit 68, respectively. The operation of 72 is stopped.
The interference wave transmitted from the interference source 4 becomes a deterioration factor of the meteorological observation in the meteorological radar device 1-n. When the interference source 4 is detected by the interference source detection unit 81, the reception control unit 82 stops the operation of the reception unit 72, so that the observation result of the weather that may have deteriorated is stored in the storage device 44. It can be prevented from being memorized.

After detecting the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave, the interference source detection unit 81 subsequently executes the detection process of the interference source 4.
If the interference source 4 is not detected, the interference source detection unit 81 outputs a non-detection signal indicating that the interference source 4 is not detected to the reception control unit 82.
When the reception control unit 82 receives the non-detection signal from the interference source detection unit 81, the reception control unit 82 transmits the non-detection signal to the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3.
When the control unit 13 of the radar control device 2 receives a non-detection signal from the interference source detection unit 81 of the weather radar device 1-n via the communication network 3, it communicates a control signal instructing the restart of the reception operation. It transmits to the weather radar device 1-n via the network 3.

When the reception control unit 82 of the weather radar device 1-n receives a control signal instructing the restart of the reception operation from the radar control device 2 via the communication network 3, for example, the out-of-band component removal unit 66 and the frequency conversion By restarting the respective operations of the unit 67 and the A / D conversion unit 68, the operation of the receiving unit 72 is restarted.

In the third embodiment, when the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) detects the interference source 4 transmitting the interference wave, the operation of the receiving unit 72 is stopped. In addition, a weather radar system was constructed. Therefore, the weather radar system can stop the meteorological observation when the meteorological observation result is likely to deteriorate.

Embodiment 4.
In the weather radar system according to the first to third embodiments, the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) includes both a transmitting unit 71 and a receiving unit 72.
In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10), a transmission-only weather radar device that emits radio waves into space but does not receive radar echoes. A weather radar system including 5 and a reception-only weather radar device 6 that receives radar echoes but does not radiate radio waves into space will be described.
A part of the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10) may be the weather radar device 5 dedicated to transmission, or the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10). , 10) may be a reception-only weather radar device 6.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a weather radar device 5 dedicated to transmission.
The transmission-only weather radar device 5 shown in FIG. 12 does not include the receiving unit 72 included in the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, the transmission-only weather radar device 5 shown in FIG. 12 has a simpler configuration than the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a reception-only weather radar device 6.
The reception-only weather radar device 6 shown in FIG. 13 does not include the transmission unit 71 included in the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, the reception-only weather radar device 6 shown in FIG. 13 has a simpler configuration than the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG.

Unlike the weather radar device 1-n (n = 1, ..., 10), the weather radar device 5 dedicated to transmission always radiates radio waves into space, but does not receive radar echo.
Unlike the weather radar device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the reception-only weather radar device 6 does not radiate radio waves into space, but always receives radar echoes.

In the present disclosure, it is possible to freely combine the embodiments, modify any component of each embodiment, or omit any component in each embodiment.

The present disclosure is suitable for a radar control device and a radar control method that output a control signal to a weather radar device.
The present disclosure is also suitable for a weather radar system including a plurality of weather radar devices.

1,1-1 to 1-N meteorological radar device, 2 radar control device, 3 communication network, 4 interference source, 5 meteorological radar device, 6 meteorological radar device, 11 meteorological information acquisition section, 12, 14 selection section, 13 control Department, 21 weather information acquisition circuit, 22, 24 selection circuit, 23 control circuit, 31 memory, 32 processor, 41 digital circuit, 42 analog circuit, 43 antenna, 44 storage device, 45 signal processing device, 46 display device, 51 DBF Control unit, 52 pulse generation unit, 53 transmission control unit, 54 reception control unit, 61 oscillation unit, 62 D / A conversion unit, 63 frequency conversion unit, 64 signal amplification unit, 65 switching unit, 66 out-of-band component removal unit, 67 Frequency conversion unit, 68 A / D conversion unit, 71 transmission unit, 72 reception unit, 81 interference source detection unit, 82 reception control unit.

Claims (16)

1. A meteorological information acquisition unit that acquires meteorological information indicating areas where either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere, and a meteorological information acquisition unit.
   Among a plurality of weather radar devices, one or more weather radar devices existing in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit are specified, and the specified one or more weather radar devices Among these, some weather radar devices or all weather radar devices are selected as the first weather radar device that emits radio waves and receives radar echoes, and among the plurality of weather radar devices, the weather radar devices are selected. A selection unit that selects some or all of the weather radar devices other than the first weather radar device as the second weather radar device that receives the radar echo.
   A first control signal instructing the emission of radio waves into space is output to the first weather radar device selected by the selection unit, and the second weather radar device selected by the selection unit is output. A radar control device equipped with a control unit that outputs a second control signal that instructs the space to stop radiating radio waves.
2. The first weather radar device selected by the selection unit is a weather radar device for both transmission and reception that emits radio waves and receives radar echoes.
   The radar control device according to claim 1, wherein the second weather radar device selected by the selection unit is a reception-only weather radar device that receives radar echoes without radiating radio waves.
3. The selection unit is a meteorological radar installed at a position among the meteorological radar devices other than the first meteorological radar device so that the radiated radio waves from the first meteorological radar device do not directly arrive. Even if the radiated radio wave from the device or the first meteorological radar device arrives directly, the received radio wave intensity is directly below the threshold value of the meteorological radar device or the first meteorological radar device. The feature is that a meteorological radar device capable of ignoring the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo is selected as the second meteorological radar device by performing the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves that have arrived. The radar control device according to claim 1.
4. The selection unit is directly from the weather radar device other than the first weather radar device, the weather radar device in which the strength of the received radio wave is larger than the threshold value, or the first weather radar device. A weather radar device that cannot ignore the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo even if the radiated radio waves that have arrived in the above are suppressed is selected as the non-reception weather radar device.
   The control unit outputs a third control signal instructing the non-reception weather radar device selected by the selection unit to stop radiating radio waves into space and stop receiving radio waves. The radar control device according to claim 3, which is characterized.
5. The selection unit is characterized in that each of the first weather radar device and the second weather radar device is changed as the region indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit moves. The radar control device according to claim 1.
6. The meteorological information acquired by the meteorological information acquisition unit includes information indicating the amount of rainfall in the area.
   The radar control device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit determines the number of the first weather radar devices based on the amount of rainfall indicated by the weather information.
7. The meteorological information acquisition department acquires meteorological information indicating the area where either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere.
   The selection unit identifies one or more weather radar devices existing in the area indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit among the plurality of weather radar devices, and one or more specified weather radar devices. Among the weather radar devices, some weather radar devices or all weather radar devices are selected as the first weather radar device that both emits radio waves and receives radar echoes, and the plurality of weather radar devices are selected. Among the weather radar devices other than the first weather radar device, some weather radar devices or all the weather radar devices are selected as the second weather radar device that receives the radar echo. ,
   The control unit outputs a first control signal instructing the radiation of radio waves to the space to the first weather radar device selected by the selection unit, and the second weather selected by the selection unit. A radar control method that outputs a second control signal instructing the radar device to stop radiating radio waves into space.
8. A plurality of weather radar devices having a transmitting unit that radiates radio waves into space and a receiving unit that receives radar echo,
   From the plurality of weather radar devices, a first weather radar device that emits radio waves and receives radar echoes is selected, and radio waves are transmitted from the transmitting unit included in the first weather radar device. Is selected from the plurality of weather radar devices to receive radar echo, and the radio waves from the transmitting unit included in the second weather radar device are transmitted. Equipped with a radar control device that stops radiation
   The radar control device identifies and identifies one or more weather radar devices existing in a region where either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere among the plurality of weather radar devices. Among the one or more weather radar devices, some weather radar devices or all the weather radar devices are selected as the first weather radar device, and among the plurality of weather radar devices, the first weather radar device is selected. A weather radar system characterized in that some weather radar devices or all weather radar devices are selected as the second weather radar device among the weather radar devices other than the weather radar device.
9. The radar control device is a meteorological radar device other than the first meteorological radar device, which is installed at a position where radiated radio waves from the first meteorological radar device do not directly arrive. Even if the radiated radio wave from the radar device or the first meteorological radar device arrives directly, the received radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value from the meteorological radar device or the first meteorological radar device. It is characterized in that a meteorological radar device capable of ignoring the interference of the radiated radio waves with the received radar echo is selected as the second meteorological radar device by performing the suppression processing of the radiated radio waves that have arrived directly. The meteorological radar system according to claim 8.
10. Among the meteorological radar devices other than the first meteorological radar device, the radar control device is a meteorological radar device in which the intensity of the received radio wave is larger than the threshold value, or directly from the first meteorological radar device. A meteorological radar device whose interference with the received radar echo cannot be ignored even if the radiated radio wave that has arrived is suppressed is selected as the non-reception meteorological radar device, and the non-reception is performed. It is characterized in that the emission of radio waves from the transmitting unit included in the meteorological radar device for non-reception is stopped, and the reception of radar echo in the receiving unit included in the non-reception meteorological radar device is stopped. The meteorological radar system according to claim 9.
11. The radar control device is characterized in that each of the first weather radar device and the second weather radar device is changed as the region where either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere moves. The weather radar system according to claim 8.
12. The radar control device acquires weather information indicating a region in which either water droplets or ice crystals are floating in the atmosphere, and exists in the region indicated by the weather information among the plurality of weather radar devices. The weather radar system according to claim 8, wherein one or more weather radar devices are specified.
13. Among the plurality of weather radar devices, some weather radar devices have either water droplets or ice crystals floating in the atmosphere by performing meteorological observation based on the radar echo received by the receiving unit. The weather radar system according to claim 12, wherein a region is detected and the detection result of the region is transmitted as the weather information to the radar control device.
14. The meteorological information includes information indicating the amount of rainfall in the area.
    The weather radar system according to claim 12, wherein the radar control device determines the number of the first weather radar devices based on the amount of rainfall indicated by the weather information.
15. The eighth aspect of claim 8, wherein each of the weather radar devices in the plurality of weather radar devices stops the operation of the receiving unit possessed by the weather radar device when it detects an interference source transmitting an interference wave. Weather radar system.
16. In addition to the plurality of weather radar devices, a weather radar device dedicated to transmission that emits radio waves to space but does not receive radar echo, and a weather radar device that receives radar echo but emits radio waves to space. The weather radar system according to claim 8, further comprising a reception-only weather radar device that does not perform.

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