KOCHI: The ST (Stratosphere Troposphere) Radar which is to be installed at Cochin University of Science and Technology(CUSAT) campus is nearing completion. 49 antenna elements (yagi) have been installed, this completes a mini radar.
The radar is the first of its kind which has been given to a university by the Department of Science and Technology for research purpose. It was sanctioned three years ago. It is also the second in the country. A project implementation committee of the Ministry which also comprises of national experts will visit the campus on Tuesday (September 30) to oversee the developments, following which a technical review will take place.
“The Rs 20 crore radar was to be installed within a span of five years. However, the work will be completed in six months, with the installation of a total 619 antenna elements,” said K Mohan Kumar, project director of ST Radar facility and director of School of Marine Sciences, Cusat.
The ST Radar or a wind profiler radar helps in studying monsoon variations, wind turbulence, disturbances in the atmosphere, thunderstorm, monsoon-its onset, withdrawal, strengthening and weakening.
“Kochi can be called the gateway of monsoon. It is an atmospherically sensitive area and much can be studied if such a radar is installed here. It will also help us in studying the vertical velocity and has a coverage of upto 20kms vertically. The radar will give second by second information,” said Mohan Kumar.
The mini radar is a prototype of the main 619-antenna element radar which will be installed on the rooftop of a three-storeyed building.
The building, whose construction will be completed in another five months, will have staff room, guest room, work space for about 60 scholars and scientists. Here the work will go on 24x7. The findings will mostly help the Indian Navy and Cochin International Airport.
P Mohanan, professor, department of electronics, K R Santhosh from the department of atmospheric science and K Vasudevan, retired professor from Cusat are the other members of the research team.