Vaisala and Estonia Lead the Way with Europe’s First C-Band SSPA Weather Radar Installation

Vaisala and Estonia Lead the Way with Europe’s First C-Band SSPA Weather Radar Installation

(IN BRIEF) Vaisala and the Estonian Environment Agency have installed Europe’s first C-band Solid-State Power Amplifier weather radar in Tallinn. This advanced technology offers improved weather forecasting accuracy, enhanced system reliability, and lower operational costs compared to traditional radars, setting a new standard in weather radar technology.

(PRESS RELEASE) VANTAA, 26-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a groundbreaking step for European meteorology, Vaisala has partnered with the Estonian Environment Agency to install Europe’s first high-performance C-band Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA) weather radar. This pioneering installation in Tallinn, Estonia, brings enhanced severe weather forecasting capabilities, promising significant improvements in reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Vaisala’s advanced SSPA technology stands out for its multiple advantages over traditional radar systems, such as magnetron-based radars. The solid-state radar delivers greater reliability, extended lifespan, reduced maintenance needs, and minimized power consumption. The compact design of the system, which locates the transmitter directly at the rear of the antenna, reduces signal loss and optimizes radar sensitivity, providing more accurate weather data.

Key features of Vaisala’s C-band SSPA radar include:

• Reduced maintenance needs and longer operational life
• Enhanced energy efficiency with high measurement sensitivity
• Elimination of high-cost consumable parts
• Compact, easy-to-install design
• Integrated redundancies for continuous performance
• Continuous runtime calibration for superior data quality
• Advanced modulation and minimized signal attenuation for better performance

The first radar installation in Tallinn is set to be completed by October 2024, with a second C-band SSPA radar planned for future deployment, further modernizing the Estonian Environment Agency’s weather observation capabilities.

Quotes:

Tanel Voormansik, Estonian Environment Agency: “As one of Vaisala’s first radar customers since 2008, we are excited to continue our long-standing collaboration by being the first in Europe to install this state-of-the-art SSPA weather radar. This new technology will dramatically enhance our ability to forecast severe weather, ensuring the safety of our citizens, while also providing long-term cost efficiencies.”

Aleksis Kajava, Sales Director, Europe and Latin America, Weather and Environment, Vaisala: “Our C-band SSPA radar represents a leap forward in weather radar technology. Designed with solid-state efficiency, it offers improved performance, reduced maintenance, and enhanced accuracy. By setting a new global benchmark in meteorological technology, this radar will greatly improve severe weather forecasting and public safety in Estonia and beyond.”

About Vaisala:
Vaisala is a global leader in measurement instruments and intelligence for climate action. We equip our customers with devices and data to improve resource efficiency, drive energy transition, and care for the safety and well-being of people and societies worldwide. With almost 90 years of innovation and expertise, we employ a team of over 2,300 experts committed to taking every measure for the planet. Vaisala series A shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

Media Contact:

Niina Ala-Luopa
Head of Communications
+358 400 728 957
comms@vaisala.com

SOURCE: Vaisala