CASA's technical integration strategy relies on test beds as an organizing and driving force to integrate the research thrusts and advance the long-range goals of the Center.

CASA will install at least three proof-of-concept "system-level" test beds that are end-to-end networks with real hardware, applications, end users, and weather. Through these test beds, CASA aims to understand and demonstraate the potential of the DCAS paradigm to benefit society by saving lives and property, and reducing vulnerability through improved understanding, detection, prediction, warning, and response to hazardous atmospheric events.

Oklahoma Test Bed (IP1) is a four-node "end-to-end" system test bed aimed at precipitation and hazardous wind-sensing in "tornado alley" southwestern Oklahoma. This test bed demonstrates DCAS concepts for high temporal and spatial resolution sensing of winds in the lower atmosphere and detecting, tracking, and predicting severe storms, especially tornadoes. This system is "end-to-end" in that critical and substantial end user populations are involved in the testing and development of the test bed. Houston Test Bed (IP2), located in Houston, TX, focuses on high-resolution rain sensing and quantitative precipitation estimation and forecasting, with an emphasis on urban flooding. It is a "technology" test bed in that it is focused on specific system components (rainfall and hydrological models) rather than all aspects of an end-to-end system. Puerto Rico Test Bed (IP3), in Mayaguez, PR, is a student-conceived and led test bed focusing on "Off-the-Grid" sensing in resource-poor environments. This test bed addresses precipitation estimation and forecasting in a tropical climate and mountainous terrain by developing an end-to-end system with a heterogeneous network of radars.

Installation of the CASA radar node at the Rush Springs, OK site of the Oklahoma Test Bed.

(back to top)