Radar Modeling Software Enhances Pacific Weather Network Planning and Infrastructure
New Zealand’s MetService is leveraging Cambridge Pixel’s SPx Radar Coverage Tool Pro (RCT Pro) to design and optimize a critical weather radar network spanning the Pacific region.
The initiative centers on delivering maximum coverage across expansive and remote areas, including key sites in Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and Samoa. To accomplish this, the Meteorological Data Services team uses the Pro version, which offers an interactive approach to calculate precise line-of-sight visibility for both new and existing radar installations, using high-resolution terrain elevation data.
A standout capability for the MetService team is the software’s capacity to manage multiple radar sites at once. RCT Pro can export coverage map data in KML format, allowing easy import and visualization within external Geographic Information Systems (GIS) like Google Earth. This seamless integration provides a comprehensive view of the Pacific Infrastructure project.
Collin Quarrie, Senior Project Manager of Pacific Infrastructure at Meteorological Data Services, commented, “Using RCT Pro has helped us overcome the challenges of mapping radar sites in complex terrain and remote locations. It gives us greater confidence in our network planning and supports commissioning the weather radar needed by our Pacific partners to improve their weather forecasting capabilities.”
SPx Radar Coverage Tool Pro is built as a planning instrument for system integrators and developers across diverse sectors, including maritime surveillance, air traffic control, security, and meteorology. It delivers a fast, precise method for determining the optimal placement of radar and other line-of-sight sensors.
Andrew Haylett, Cambridge Pixel’s Principal Engineer, added, “We’re glad RCT Pro is underpinning MetService’s essential work in the Pacific. Supporting multi-radar weather projects showcases the versatility and robustness of our software. With all target locations successfully mapped, our radar planning capability has achieved near-complete global coverage.”
Would you like to explore how multi-radar planning tools could be applied to other remote regions or different industries, such as disaster response or environmental monitoring?
