Features of COBRA

COBRA's three primary functions are as follows:

1. Polarization Observation

To measure the polarization characteristics of rainfall, the main radar can select one of six kinds of polarizations (horizontal/vertical polarization, ±45-degree tilt linear-polarization, and right/left handed circular polarization) for every transmitting pulse in the figure.

2. Bistatic Doppler Observation Function

The Doppler information from the main radar and the Doppler-shift measurements taken by two bistatic receivers observing oblique scattering by precipitating particles are combined to enable precise three-dimensional field observations of wind velocity.

3. Data Processing (Real-time Processing)

All data is to be processed in real-time (or in pseudo-real-time) and publicized on the web as images and movies.