NSSL’s Dusan Zrnic was awarded the 2010 Technology Transfer Award by NOAA for “developing a novel way to measure linear orthogonal polarimetric variables without a switch that was patented and transferred to the private sector producing significant savings in the implementation of commercial dual polarization radars.”

“The key is that on transmission, we can combine two electric fields – one is the field at horizontal polarization the other vertical. On reception, the two fields are automatically separated back into the horizontal and vertical polarizations and we can obtain the most important polarimetric variables,” explains Zrnic.  “Another benefit besides significant cost savings is that all the algorithms developed for the WSR-88D can run without having to retrofit or reprogram the radar to use the technique.

The NOAA Technology Transfer Award recognizes technology that is developed within NOAA and transferred outside the bureau to American industry or business, universities, state or local governments, or other non-Federal parties.

These esteemed award recipients will be honored at a ceremony to be held in the NOAA Auditorium in Silver Spring, Maryland on Thursday, October 28, 2010.