About EWR
The EWR Advantage
History
EWR Radar Systems, Inc. has been a leader in weather radar innovation since 1982. The Quality Management System (QMS) of EWR is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and the company is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of operational availability in the most demanding military and commercial environments. With decades of experience advancing radar technology, EWR combines a proven heritage in weather radar development with a commitment to delivering state-of-the-art products and services that address the evolving needs of customers worldwide. This dedication to innovation, reliability, and performance has established EWR as a trusted leader and the gold standard in weather radar.
Headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, EWR provides weather radar products and services to a diverse range of clients, including multiple branches of the United States Department of Defense, NATO alliance members, international militaries, international airports, utility companies, oil companies, municipalities, first-alert responders, and more.
EWR offers a wide range of products and services specifically designed to conform to the end-user’s unique requirements and technical specifications. EWR systems combine state-of-the-art solid-state transmitters, pulse compression and Advanced Single Pulse (ASP) technology with innovative, field-proven design to provide safety, accuracy and reliability. EWR’s product offerings are all Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) items; however, EWR has the capability and experience to deliver custom weather radar solutions to meet the specific needs of the end-user and the application.
In 2006, EWR released the revolutionary solid state E700 PDR system, creating a new category of portable Doppler weather radars. This ground breaking modular concept was designed for field use by military personnel – and was quickly adapted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force. The E700 PDR radar consists of three primary modules: a radome unit which contains all of the RF components, digital transceiver, and the antenna assembly; a radar processor enclosure; and a pneumatic mast. The radome unit was specifically designed to be mounted on the easily deployable pneumatic mast, which can raise to radar to a height of up to 50 feet. The modular architecture allows for easy field set-up and tear-down, and quick field replacement of components, which is critical to a highly dynamic field deployment. The E700 PDR can be unpacked, set-up, and operational within 30 minutes. A number of standard mounting options exist, which allow the user to mount the radar on top of a roof or building, or attach the mast to a mobile trailer or platform. The key enabling technology for this rugged, reliable, and highly portable radar system is the use of a solid state transmitter.
EWR’s weather radar systems give customers a clear, comprehensive view of changing weather conditions, helping them stay informed and prepared. Our radars provide real-time, reliable weather information and turn it into easy-to-understand, actionable products through our user-friendly WeatherScout® and WeatherScout® Watch software programs. From everyday operations to rapidly changing weather events, EWR provides the information decision-makers need to plan ahead, reduce risk, and respond with confidence. With radar, software, and support working together as one solution, EWR makes advanced weather information accessible, actionable, and easy to use.
Solid-State Advantage
Solid-state transmitter technology provides significant advantages for weather radar in performance, reliability, flexibility, and lifecycle cost. These benefits are especially valuable for mobile and portable systems, where ruggedness, rapid deployment, and minimal maintenance are critical.
Unlike magnetron transmitters, solid-state power amplifiers provide fully coherent transmission, enabling more effective clutter suppression, advanced signal-processing techniques, greater waveform flexibility, and pulse-by-pulse control of frequency, pulse width, and pulse repetition interval. This flexibility also enables frequency agility, allowing mobile radars to avoid local interference and adapt to changing operating environments.
Solid-state technology also eliminates the high-voltage tube amplifiers used in traditional magnetron and klystron systems. With no tube to replace and fewer high-voltage components, solid-state radars offer longer transmitter life, improved reliability, easier field maintenance, and greater resistance to the shock and vibration associated with transport and deployment. Solid-state transmitters also require no tube warm-up, allowing the radar to be operational immediately after startup.
For modern weather radar applications, the result is a transmitter that delivers better data quality, greater operational flexibility, higher reliability, and lower maintenance requirements—making solid-state technology the modern choice for today’s weather radar systems.
Pulse Compressed Waveforms
Pulse compressed waveforms amplified by solid-state transmitters provide sensitivity comparable to much higher power tube-based transmitters. For example, a 1 kilowatt solid state transmitter producing a 50us pulse compressed waveform with a 1 MHz bandwidth has the same sensitivity and range resolution as a 1us pulse transmitted by a 50 kilowatt tube-amplifier. By using solid state amplifiers, peak power is traded for average power with no loss in system performance. In an EWR radar, the pulse compressed waveform’s inherent “blind-range” is mitigated using Advanced Single Pulse (ASP) technology.
Solid State Value
For decades, the higher cost of solid-state amplifiers was a significant consideration when specifying a radar system. Historically, the cost per watt of solid-state technology made it difficult to justify in many commercial applications, particularly at higher frequencies such as C-band and X-band.
That cost equation has changed significantly. Advances in Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor technology—driven by large-scale investment from the telecommunications and defense industries—have substantially reduced the cost of solid-state RF power. As a result, solid-state technology has become a much more compelling value for modern radar applications.
The value of solid state extends beyond the initial purchase price. Unlike magnetron and other tube-based transmitters, solid-state architectures eliminate many high-wear components and are designed for long-term, 24/7 operation with reduced maintenance and greater reliability. Modular EWR RF architectures also provide built-in redundancy and the ability to replace individual modules rather than an entire transmitter, reducing lifecycle cost and minimizing downtime.
Today, solid state is no longer simply a premium technology—it is a practical, cost-effective approach to achieving higher performance, higher reliability, lower maintenance, and lower total cost of ownership over the life of a radar system.
A New Generation of Radars
The latest generation of EWR radars includes the dual-polarization E800LP—designed specifically for applications where size, weight, and ruggedness matter. Its compact footprint and robust design allow the E800LP to be integrated into mobile platforms and constrained installations where larger radar systems simply cannot fit.
Built for mobility, the E800LP requires minimal infrastructure while providing the durability needed for frequent transport and deployment. This makes it an ideal solution for mobile radar networks, temporary coverage, gap-filling, and remote locations where a conventional radar installation is impractical.
The E800LP provides dual-polarization capability, giving users access to more detailed and accurate weather measurements without the size and complexity of a larger radar. Independent control of each polarization channel provides additional operational flexibility, allowing the radar to be configured for different scanning patterns, measurement requirements, and mission needs.
By combining a compact, rugged design with advanced SSPA transmitters, DSP10 digital signal processing and dual-polarization technology, the E800LP brings capabilities typically associated with larger fixed-site radars to mobile platforms and locations where other radar systems cannot be deployed.
