South Texas Cumulative Impact Analysis

South Texas Wind Farm
Cumulative Impact Analysis

NAS Kingsville (NQI), NAS Corpus Christi (NGP),
and Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP)
Revision A
12 September 2016
Prepared by: SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic
For general release, December 19, 2016
Introduction
This study conveys raw data regarding impacts of wind
turbines to aviation radar.
The data must be analyzed to determine the impact to
aviation flight safety. Impacts will be dependent on location
of turbines as they relate to Navy flight operations.
Mitigations will decrease impacts.
Further analysis is required to assess the nature and extent of
mitigation measures implemented to understand the
effectiveness of the selected measures.
SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic
Final 31 August 2016
Assumptions
This analysis does not address wind turbines as obstructions to navigation

Kingsville 4 Military Operating Area (MOA) is 9,000 ft. up to, but not including, Flight
Level (FL) 180. Morales Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR) provides radar
coverage in that area for Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).
Most routes provided by CNATRA are not covered by NQI or CRP Digital Airport
Surveillance Radars (DASR)
CRP FAA Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) receives the following
surveillance inputs into the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System
(STARS) with FUSION tracking enabled:
CRP ASR-11
Harlingen ASR-9
Morales ARSR-4
Oilton ARSR-4
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B)
Radar tool box was calibrated using actual data recorded from NQI and CRP DASRs
with real radar returns of existing turbines as opposed to solely modeling the turbines
theoretically
Executive Summary
Line-of-sight (LOS) plots were generated for CRP DASR, NQI DASR,
Oilton ARSR-4, and Morales ARSR-4
The LOS plots illustrate that multiple radar data feeds can cover areas that
are potentially screened by a physical obstructions from a particular radar
The impacts from the same wind farm are different for each radar because
the differences in range and ground elevation
Executive Summary
(Cont.)
If both NGP/NQI enabled FUSION on STARS with CRP and NQI radar data
feeds, STARS would present the optimal primary surveillance radar
coverage up to 5,000 ft.
If both NGP/NQI received the Oilton and Morales radar data feeds, STARS
with FUSION enabled would provide unobstructed primary surveillance
radar coverage at 5,000 ft. and above
Primary surveillance radar data returns from NQI and CRP were impacted by the
turbines on most routes. However, each of these routes are at an altitude within
the LOS of the Oilton and Morales long range radars
Many of the routes identified as areas of concern were outside of the range of
the CRP and NQI radar
Executive Summary
(Cont.)
The wind farm impact analyses predicted impacts ranging from a reduction of
probability of detection (Pd) low of 17.06% to a high of 85.61% prior to
implementation of mitigation measures over the wind farm areas which are
referred to as polygons in the Radar Toolbox. Mitigation measures may not
eliminate all reduction in Pd.
The primary areas of impact will be directly over the wind farms from the tip of
the blades [approximately 500 ft Above Ground Level (AGL)] up to
approximately 5,000 ft (where the long range radars can provide coverage).
CRP 0-10,000 ft.

Prior to implementing
mitigation measures
Reduction in Probability
of Detection (Pd)
Radar Grid Parameters

(Each cell represents)
11.25 Degrees Azimuth
5 nmi Range
Based on actual recorded
data
CRP 0-10,000 ft. with Special

Use Airspace (SUA) Depicted
mitigation measures
of Detection (Pd)
MOA 4
MOA 3
MOA 2
IR Routes
MOA 1

5 nmi Range

data
NQI 0-10,000 ft.

mitigation measures
of Detection (Pd)

5 nmi Range
data
NQI 0-10,000 ft.

with SUA Depicted
of Detection (Pd)
IR Routes
5 nmi Range
data
Revision A 12 September 2016
10
Backup
Background
Line-of-Sight Plots
Predictive Analysis
11
Background
12
Background
ATC Radar Basics

Shore based Navy Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities are equipped with the Digital
Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR)
The DASR is an integrated radar providing Primary and Secondary Radar
services
DASR DOD nomenclature is AN/GPN-30 and FAA/commercial designation
is ASR-11
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)
Covers 60 nautical miles (nmi)
Detects non-cooperative aircraft
Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR)
Commonly referred to as Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)/Beacon Code
Covers 120 nmi
CRP has been set to the FAA standard configuration of 60 nmi range
on Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)
Provides aircraft identification by beacon code and altitude (Mode 3/C)
Interrogates the airspace and aircraft respond
Aircraft replies are much stronger than PSR returns making SSR much
less susceptible to wind turbine interference
13
Background (Cont.)
Build 012 introduces the following functionality:
- Range Azimuth Gate (RAG)-able minimum constant
false alarm rate (MinCFAR)
- Clutter Mapper Doppler Filter
- Track eligibility
Designed to increase the optimization tools available to
maximize target detection and to minimize false target activity
Proved effective on autos, birds, weather and wind turbines
14
Background (Cont.)
Radar Definitions
Probability of Detection (Pd)
Likelihood of target detection on any given scan
described in percentage
PSR hit count/(PSR hit count + PSR miss count)
Reinforcement Rate (RR)
The percentage of SSR targets which have a PSR
target associated with them
Reinforcement Rate hit count/(RR hit count + RR
miss count)
15
Background (Cont.)
FAA Determination
ATC may use SSR during periods of temporary loss
of PSR (i.e., flight over wind farm area)
Use of SSR will allow for standard three miles
separation
This determination will allow operations at NQI to
proceed unaffected during periods of temporary loss
of PSR
16
Line-of-Sight Plots
17
Line-of-Sight Plots
LOS plots were generated at 3,000 and 5,000 ft. and overlaid for the Oilton and
Morales radars
The LOS plots illustrate how having multiple radar feeds can cover areas that are
potentially screened by a physical obstruction
While the CRP and NQI radars are affected at low altitudes by screening, receiving
both radar data feeds at both Naval Air Stations will decrease impacts
Integrating the Oilton and Morales radar feeds will provide an unobstructed view at
5,000 ft. and above
18
3,000 ft. Oilton and Morales

Overlay
Morales
3,000 ft.
Oilton &
Morales
Overlay
Oilton
19
3,000 ft. Oilton, Morales,

CRP, and NQI Merged
3,000 ft.
Oilton,
Morales,
CRP, and
NQI
Merged
Morales
CRP
Oilton
NQI
20
5,000 ft. Oilton and Morales

Overlay
Morales
5,000 ft.
Oilton &
Morales
Overlay
Oilton
21
Predictive Analysis
22
Analysis Parameters
Analysis conducted utilizing the following parameters:
Radar Toolbox version 12.06 (SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic
modified)
Only analyzes DASR performance
NQI and CRP DASRs
Radar adaptation parameters
MinCFAR Maps
Beam and Sensitivity Time Control (STC) Maps
Clutter maps
Target data set containing seven days of continuous data
ATC requirements, fixes, routes, etc.
existing and proposed turbine layouts
All analyses were conducted from 0 - 24,000 ft.
23
Predictive Analyses
This tool uses all of the site unique adaptation from the radar, to
include all maps and thresholds as set during system optimization
The tool uses radar data collected from the radar of interest, which
contains amplitude data for every target
The tool utilizes the latitude, longitude, and height of each turbine
and analyzes its percentage of visibility and assigns a calibrated
Radar Cross Section (RCS) value.
The calibrated RCS value is integrated into the clutter map captured
from the radar of interest to create a new clutter map
The target amplitudes in the radar data are then compared to the
new detection thresholds in the clutter map
Targets smaller in amplitude than the new detection threshold are
deleted from the original radar recording and saved as a new
dataset
The resultant impacted dataset is run through the toolbox
performance analysis tools to generate the impact results
24
Radar Toolbox Modifications

The following modifications were made:
Wind Turbine capacity increased from 100 to 2,000
Toolbox LOS calculations modified to be based on the blade-tip
elevation vice the nacelle and increased the allowable look angle
range
25
Analysis Limitations
Radar Toolbox 12.06 has not been validated to date

Previous versions have been validated without the wind farm
functionality
All calculations within the tool were intentionally conservative presenting
worst case results
The tool cannot account for cultural data, (i.e., trees, buildings, etc.)
The tool does not include some of the latest software enhancements to
the DASR such as a clutter map per Doppler filter (Build 012)
While limitations to the tool exist, SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic believes
this tool provides the best available analysis for this purpose because:
The tool has been calibrated using real radar data
The tool uses optimized radar adaptation data
The tool provides user friendly output
26
RCS Calibration
RCS calibration process SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic followed:
Data is presented from both CRP and NQI radar perspectives
Wind turbine returns were correlated to their known positions and their
average amplitude determined
A new Layout Generation Tool was developed to apply a common RCS
scaling factor to all turbines. The tool determines the percentage of the
turbine that is visible to the radar and multiplies the scaled RCS by the
percentage of the turbine that is visible to obtain the final calibrated
RCS value for each turbine.
The RCS scaling factor was adjusted in the Layout Creation Tool to
generate calibrated RCS values for each turbine until the radar toolbox
predicted radar return amplitude matched reality
27
CRP Range versus Height

360 Composite
Reduction in Probability of
Detection (Pd)

2000 ft. in Altitude
4 NMI in Range
28
NQI Range versus Height

360 Composite
Reduction in Probability of
Detection (Pd)

2000 ft. in Altitude
4 NMI in Range
29
Critical Fixes, Routes, and

Polygon Analyses
Radar Toolbox conducts performance analyses for all inputted
fixes, routes, and polygons as part of the wind turbine
analysis
Baseline performance is established for the radar recording
Wind Farm performance is determined using the post
processed dataset
Radar recording minus (-) targets that do not exceed the new
target detection threshold after wind turbine integration
Impact is determined by subtracting wind farm results from

baseline results
Radar coverage by all radars that provide coverage for a
defined fix, route or polygon (wind farm)
Items presented in Orange are partially or entirely outside of
the operational range of the radar
30
NGP
Critical Fixes Analysis
NGP
Fixes
VCT
K4MOA
NGP
NGT
CRP
WORRY
BLOKS
IVOLY
PKV
BRASY
PSX
V13 end
SSR Pd
0.00
99.00
100.00
99.00
0.00
100.00
100.00
99.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
PSR Pd Reinforce Rate SSR Pd
PSR Pd Reinforce Rate
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
80.00
81.25
99.00
80.00
81.25
0.00
0.00
0.00
87.00
85.23
100.00
87.00
85.23
0.00
0.00
0.00
86.70
86.21
99.00
86.70
86.21
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
93.75
93.75
100.00
93.75
93.75
0.00
0.00
0.00
86.27
86.69
100.00
86.27
86.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
89.66
94.55
99.00
89.66
94.55
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
90.48
90.48
100.00
90.48
90.48
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Orange = All or partially outside of the coverage range of the radar
Radar coverage by
Morales
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, Oilton, NQI
Morales
Morales, Oilton, NQI
CRP, Morales, NQI
CRP, Morales
CRP, Morales
Morales
CRP, Morales
Morales
Morales
31
NQI
Critical Fixes Analysis
NQI
Fixes
VCT
K4MOA
NGP
NGT
CRP
WORRY
BLOKS
IVOLY
PKV
BRASY
PSX
V13 end
SSR Pd
99.33
99.73
99.00
100.00
73.72
99.59
98.21
100.00
96.49
96.67
94.55
91.10
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
0.00
0.00
99.33
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
99.73
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
83.41
89.90
99.00
83.41
89.90
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
67.40
88.05
73.72
67.40
88.05
0.00
0.00
0.00
88.93
89.30
99.59
88.93
89.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
98.21
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
96.49
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
96.67
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
94.55
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
91.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Radar coverage by
Morales
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, Oilton, NQI
Morales
Morales, Oilton, NQI
CRP, Morales, NQI
CRP, Morales
CRP, Morales
Morales
CRP, Morales
Morales
Morales
32
CRP DASR
NGP Routes Analysis
NGP
Routes
Goalie 1: NGT>K4MOA>NGP (8000 ft.)
Goalie2: NGT>K4MOA>CRP (8000 ft.)
JENKNS1: NGP>NGT (4000 ft.)
JENKNS1R: NGT>NGP (5000 ft.)
JENKNS2: NGP>NGT>NGP (4000 ft.)
LEROY1: VCT>K4MOA>NGT (14500 ft.)
LEROY1I: VCT>K4MOA>NGP (14000 ft.)
LEROY2I: VCT>K4MOA>CRP (14000 ft.)
NUBIN1: NGP>WORRY>BLOKS>VCT (7000 ft.)
NUBIN2: NGP>WORRY>IVOLY>PKV (7000 ft.)
NUBIN3: NGP>WORRY>V13 END>PSX (7000 ft. )
NUBIN3R: VCT>BRASY>NGP (6000 ft.)
WALKER1: CRP>K4MOA>NGT (14500 ft.)
WALKER1I: CRP>K4MOA>NGP (14000 ft.)
SSR Pd
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
90.00
80.00
100.00
96.95
95.59
91.86
100.00
90.00
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
100.00
100.00
100.00
83.30
83.30
0.00
16.70
16.70
100.00
100.00
100.00
57.14
57.14
0.00
42.86
42.86
95.24
95.24
100.00
95.24
95.24
0.00
0.00
0.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
89.29
89.29
0.00
10.71
10.71
100.00
100.00
100.00
82.76
82.76
0.00
17.24
17.24
100.00
100.00
100.00
89.29
89.29
0.00
10.71
10.71
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
75.00
83.30
90.00
20.00
22.22
0.00
55.00
61.08
46.67
58.33
80.00
6.67
8.33
0.00
40.00
50.00
97.24
97.24
100.00
96.55
96.55
0.00
0.69
0.69
88.32
91.10
96.95
87.62
90.58
0.00
0.70
0.52
85.29
89.23
95.59
83.82
87.69
0.00
1.47
1.54
75.28
81.01
91.86
75.58
81.01
0.00
-0.30
0.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
75.00
83.30
90.00
20.00
22.22
0.00
55.00
61.08
Radar coverage by
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, NQI, Oilton
Morales, CRP, NQI
33
NQI DASR
NGP Routes Analysis
NQI
Routes
Goalie2: NGT>K4MOA>CRP (8000 ft.)
JENKNS1: NGP>NGT (4000 ft.)
JENKNS1R: NGT>NGP (5000 ft.)
JENKNS2: NGP>NGT>NGP (4000 ft.)
LEROY1: VCT>K4MOA>NGT (14500 ft.)
LEROY1I: VCT>K4MOA>NGP (14000 ft.)
LEROY2I: VCT>K4MOA>CRP (14000 ft.)
NUBIN1: NGP>WORRY>BLOKS>VCT (7000 ft.)
NUBIN2: NGP>WORRY>IVOLY>PKV (7000 ft.)
NUBIN3: NGP>WORRY>V13 END>PSX (7000 ft. )
NUBIN3R: VCT>BRASY>NGP (6000 ft.)
WALKER1: CRP>K4MOA>NGT (14500 ft.)
WALKER1I: CRP>K4MOA>NGP (14000 ft.)
SSR Pd
100.00
94.29
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
82.14
82.14
100.00
57.14
57.14
0.00
25.00
25.00
71.43
75.76
94.29
45.71
48.48
0.00
25.72
27.28
62.50
62.50
100.00
56.25
56.25
0.00
6.25
6.25
87.72
87.72
100.00
57.89
57.89
0.00
29.83
29.83
91.67
91.67
100.00
66.67
66.67
0.00
25.00
25.00
87.72
87.72
100.00
57.89
57.89
0.00
29.83
29.83
0.00
0.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
26.67
26.67
100.00
26.67
26.67
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.35
4.35
100.00
2.17
2.17
0.00
2.18
2.18
62.26
62.26
100.00
58.49
58.49
0.00
3.77
3.77
50.77
50.77
100.00
47.69
47.69
0.00
3.08
3.08
45.32
45.32
100.00
42.45
42.45
0.00
2.87
2.87
36.51
36.51
100.00
36.51
36.51
0.00
0.00
0.00
66.67
66.67
100.00
66.67
66.67
0.00
0.00
0.00
94.74
94.74
100.00
89.47
89.47
0.00
5.27
5.27
Radar coverage by
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP, NQI
Morales, CRP
Morales, CRP, NQI
34
CRP
Polygon Analysis
CRP
Polygons
Kings 4 MOA
Randolph 1B MOA
Kings 5 MOA
Randolph 1A MOA
Kingsville 2 MOA
Kingsville 1 MOA
Kingsville 3 MOA
SSR Pd
98.68
0.00
0.00
0.00
99.50
95.03
91.72
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
92.20
93.43
98.68
92.20
93.43
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
97.50
97.99
99.50
97.50
97.99
0.00
0.00
0.00
91.42
93.57
95.03
91.10
93.29
0.00
0.32
0.28
86.76
92.10
91.72
86.76
92.10
0.00
0.00
0.00
Radar coverage by
Morales
Morales
Morales
Oilton, CRP, NQI
Oilton, CRP, NQI
Oilton, CRP, NQI
35
NQI
Polygon Analysis
NQI
Polygons
Kings 4 MOA
Randolph 1B MOA
Kings 5 MOA
Randolph 1A MOA
Kingsville 2 MOA
Kingsville 1 MOA
Kingsville 3 MOA
SSR Pd
98.66
89.57
98.61
90.68
95.39
98.13
98.83
Baseline
Wind Farm
Impact
26.48
26.84
98.66
26.23
26.58
0.00
0.25
0.26
0.00
0.00
89.57
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
98.61
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
90.68
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
61.52
64.15
95.39
58.40
60.85
0.00
3.12
3.30
92.24
93.75
98.13
92.00
93.51
0.00
0.24
0.24
63.56
64.24
98.83
63.51
64.19
0.00
0.05
0.05
Radar coverage by
Morales
Morales
Morales
Oilton, CRP, NQI
Oilton, CRP, NQI
Oilton, CRP, NQI
36
References
Corpus Christi Area Wind Farm Proposal Predictive Impact Analysis on the
AN/GPN-30 Digital Airport Surveillance Radar, 15 April 2016
In-Depth Study of the Impacts to the Corpus Christi ASR-11 from Central
Service Area Radar Engineering, FAA/AJW-C24A, December 2015
Interagency Field Test and Evaluation (IFT&E) Industry Report, Wind
Turbine-Radar Interference Test Summary, SANDIA REPORT, SAND201419003, Printed September 2014
Lincoln Labs/Sandia National Laboratory, Wind-Radar Assessment 1,
IFT&E, March 4, 2013
37

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South Texas Wind Farm

Cumulative Impact Analysis

Final 31 August 2016

This analysis does not address wind turbines as obstructions to navigation

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

CRP 0-10,000 ft.

Radar Grid Parameters

Final 31 August 2016

CRP 0-10,000 ft. with Special

Radar Grid Parameters

Based on actual recorded

Final 31 August 2016

NQI 0-10,000 ft.

Radar Grid Parameters

Final 31 August 2016

NQI 0-10,000 ft.

Revision A 12 September 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

ATC Radar Basics

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

3,000 ft. Oilton and Morales

Final 31 August 2016

3,000 ft. Oilton, Morales,

Final 31 August 2016

5,000 ft. Oilton and Morales

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Radar Toolbox Modifications

Final 31 August 2016

Radar Toolbox 12.06 has not been validated to date

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

CRP Range versus Height

Radar Grid Parameters

Final 31 August 2016

NQI Range versus Height

Radar Grid Parameters

Final 31 August 2016

Critical Fixes, Routes, and

Impact is determined by subtracting wind farm results from

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

Final 31 August 2016

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