The Open Radar Data Acquisition (ORDA) subsystem replaces the current WSR-88D Radar Data Acquisition subsystem with improved receiver and signal processing hardware and with improved user interface, signal processing and diagnostics software. This paper will discuss the input data from the digital receiver, the ORDA signal processing, and the data output from the ORDA hardware. Specifications of the ORDA digital receiver will be presented. The paper outlines the critical radar signal processing flow and provides analysis of new spectrum width computations and clutter filtering schemes used in the ORDA system. Where appropriate, ORDA performance enhancements, data quality improvements and reliability and maintenance improvements will be highlighted.
