The GPM Monitor - a publication of Global Precipitation Measurement

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In September, members of the GPM community will gather in Taipei, Taiwan to discuss the development of the GPM Ground Validation (GV) site network. The Second GPM GV Workshop will be held September 27–30, 2005 at the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau (CWB). Professor Ming-Dah Chou from National Taiwan University (NTU) is hosting the conference, along with the CWB, National Central University (NCU), and National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL).

Activities at the Second GV Workshop will build upon the foundation established during the very successful First GPM GV Workshop convened in November 2003 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom. Participants at the First Workshop defined a broad set of scientific objectives and requirements to motivate the international GPM GV research program and the operation of the GV site network. (To obtain a copy of The 1st International GPM GV Workshop Report, visit http://gpm.gsfc.nasa.gov/workshops.html.)

The focus of the Second GV Workshop will be threefold. Workshop participants will work together to:

1.	Identify algorithm developer’s needs/wishes from the GV program Algorithm developers will need a variety of rain rate measurements on the ground for direct comparison to their algorithm estimates, and also additional in situ measurements (e.g., cloud micro-physics detectors, ground radiometer, ground radar, disdrometers, state parameter sensors, etc.) to improve the physical formulations of the algorithms.
2.	Determine how to develop the international GV site network using system engineering principles There are three types of GV sites: (1) Standard Sites, (2) Supersites, and (3) Regional (Virtual) Sites. They will be funded and managed by various institutions for specific purposes. To ensure a successful GV research program, we will have to develop a plan to manage these individual sites for “GPM GV needs” as a “System of Sites”. It is likely that this “Site System” should be developed using principals of “System Engineering.”
3.	Accumulate and understand experiences from existing sites to ensure a realistic GV site network plan We must conduct the planning based on the strength of the participating individuals and institutions.

Although this Workshop is a “by-invitation only” meeting, the Program Committee will be flexible in inviting others who indicate interest.

Please contact Dr. Paul Hwang at paul.h.hwang@nasa.gov or 301-286-6969 for additional information.

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