EISCAT Svalbard radar

The EISCAT Svalbard Radar operates in the 500 MHz band with a transmitter peak power of 1000 kW, 25% duty cycle and 1 µs – 2 ms pulse length with frequency and phase modulation capability.

There are two antennas, a 32 meter mechanically fully steerable parabolic dish antenna, and a 42 meter fixed parabolic antenna aligned along the direction of the local geomagnetic field.

The high latitude location of this facility is particularly aimed at studies of the cusp and polar cap region. The receivers include multiple channels. The data are pre-processed in signal processors, displayed and analysed in real-time and can be recorded to mass storage media both locally and at the main storage facility. The whole radar system is controlled by computers, and can be remotely commanded from the other radar sites. The land of the radar site is provided by the Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani AS. The building belongs to EISCAT.