Micro-motion signatures of large wind turbines: Case study using a mobile weather radar

Abstract

The wind turbine interference to radar, usually referred to as the wind turbine clutter can severely degrade radar data quality, which may further impact critical radar operations. The blade rotation, a micro motion regarding to the overall structure, can create complicated Doppler modulations, which state-of-the-art ground clutter filter failed to mitigate. A case study of large utility scale wind turbines using a mobile weather radar was carried out. The goal of the experiment is to explore what useful information can be extracted from the micro-Doppler radar signature of wind turbines, such as the wind direction at each wind turbine and blade structural information.