The ComMet/21i radar is the newest generation of Meteor Radar, developed exclusively by Mardoc inc. It follows an earlier joint development between Mardoc Inc. and Genesis Software Pty. Ltd, which produced the older SKiYMET radar.

ComMet stands for "COMputerized METeor radar". The "i" at the end stands for "interferometric". The "21" refers to the current vintage (year). This radar can be used for both atmospheric and astronomical applications. It's improvements over the SKiYMET system include an architecture which is more heavily based on computerized procedures, thereby requiring less hardware. The receivers are direct-conversion, and digitization takes place at rates comparable to the radar carrier frequency. No super-heterodyning is used, resulting in receivers with comparatively low Noise levels (about 600K), which are much reduced compared to skynoise levels. Swept-frequency pulses are used, and subsequent deconvolution of the pulse leads to the capability of very good height-resolution. All the procedures used in this paper are used, as with the older SKiYMET, but the new design permits the radars to be made more quickly and at lower costs.

With regard to atmospheric applications, the radar is capable of determining winds and temperatures in the height region between 80 and 100 km altitude of the atmosphere, utilizing plasma trails formed when small meteoroids enter the atmosphere. Each plasma trail is blown by the neutral wind, and by monitoring the drift of the trail using a combination of interferometric and Doppler techniques, we can utilize this information to measure the upper level atmospheric winds. By measuring the rate of expansion of the trail, we can also determine the upper level temperatures. We typically detect between 2,000 and 50,000 meteors per day, depending on system parameters, time of year, and meteor shower activity. Because of the system design, we can monitor most of the sky simultaneously - hence the system has "all-sky" capability.

All of the scientific aspects, including antenna layout and design, development of the combined interferometric/Doppler all-sky capability, and temperature determinations, were developed by Mardoc Inc. The system can also measure the speeds at which meteors enter the atmosphere (another Mardoc innovation), an important additional parameter for astronomical applications. It can also determine the source radiants of meteor showers.

Many examples of the products produced by this radar are shown in the attached gallery (see the tablet to the left). Meteor systems like ComMet and its predecessor (SKiYMET) have been compared to other instruments world-wide to determine the accuracy of their results, including comparisons with lidars, optical imagers, and other radars. For simplicity of installation, variety in acquired parameters, continuity of operation, and reliability, radars with this design would rank as one of the best and most versatile of all instruments for atmospheric and astronomical measurements.