An MoU was signed between Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) and Data Patterns (India) Pvt Ltd, Chennai, for supplying and installing the stratosphere troposphere (ST) radar system atop a three-storey building in Cusat on Thursday. The `20-crore-Doppler radar is the first of its kind being given to a university by the Ministry of Science and Technology for research purpose.
Cusat Registrar A Ramachandran and Data Patterns (India) Pvt Ltd, Chennai, business head S Thomas Mathuram signed the MoU in the presence of Cusat Vice-Chancellor Ramachandran Thekkedath.
Data patterns has been supplying radar components for Department of Space and Department of Defence.
The radar will be set atop a 22,000 sqft three-storey building. The second floor will be set aside to set up antenna and it will be fully airconditioned for temperature control. The other two floors will house offices and space for research scholars.
The radar will give data on wind structure, disturbances in the atmosphere, turbulence and minute changes 24 X 365. It will cover the airport and Navy areas and give information on climate change.
“We have signed an MoU with BSNL to construct the building. We plan to build the skeleton in nine months so that the radar can be installed. The work will commence within a month,” said professor K Mohankumar, project director of ST Radar Facility and Dean of Environmental Sciences.
“About 49 antenna elements will be installed on the second floor and a total of 712 antenna elements will be installed in a circular pattern which will provide all the information of wind and atmospheric research,” he said.
We can measure the vertical wind only with the help of the ST Radar. It can help predict the monsoon which starts in Kerala and moves to the north,” he added.