Conference paper
Compact Front-end Prototype for Next Generation RFI-rejecting Polarimetric L-band Radiometer
Electromagnetic Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark1
Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark2
Microwaves and Remote Sensing, National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark3
National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark4
Realizing the need for lower noise figure and smaller physical size in todays higly sensitive radiometers, this paper presents a new compact analog front-end (AFE) for use with the existing L-band (1400-1427 MHz) radiometer designed and operated by the Technical University of Denmark. Using subharmonic sampling to sample directly at the RF-frequency, this radiometer obtains a fully polarimetric response and enables detection and removal of radio frequency interference (RFI).
A more compact AFE will enable various desired features, as for example the ability to use the front-end with antenna arrays needing one receiver per antenna (Synthetic Aperture Radiometer, SARad), reduced weight for airborne missions and an easy temperature stabilization, i.e. improved instrument stability.
The new front-end possesses an improved system noise temperature of only 76 K (roughly 40 K improvement) measured at an AFE physical temperature of 44oC, thus making the radiometer even more sensitive.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | IEEE |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Pages: | 1626-1629 |
| Proceedings: | 39th European Microwave Conference |
| ISBN: | 1424447488 and 9781424447480 |
| Types: | Conference paper |
| DOI: | 10.1109/EUMC.2009.5296530 |
| ORCIDs: | Søbjærg, Sten Schmidl and Skou, Niels |
