Journal article
Measurements on Active Cold Loads for Radiometer Calibration
Two semiconductor active cold loads (ACLs) to be used as cold references in spaceborne microwave radiometers have been developed. An X-band frequency was chosen, and the target noise temperature value was in the 50-100-K range. The ACLs are characterized in the operating temperature range of 0degC-50degC, and long-term stability is assessed.
To this end, a test bed has been developed. This test bed is actually a stable radiometer, and its design and performance are discussed. The test setup is described, and test campaign results indicate output temperatures of 77 and 56 K for the two ACLs. The temperature sensitivity is slightly below 0.4 K/degC for the units, and long-term stability within 2 K/year is observed.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | IEEE |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Pages: | 3134-3139 |
| ISSN: | 15580644 and 01962892 |
| Types: | Journal article |
| DOI: | 10.1109/TGRS.2009.2017015 |
| ORCIDs: | Søbjærg, Sten Schmidl , Skou, Niels and Balling, Jan E. |
Active cold loads (ACLs) Calibration Frequency Microwave measurements Microwave radiometry Semiconductor device noise Space cooling Stability System testing Temperature distribution Temperature sensors X-band frequency calibration microwave radiometer radiometers semiconductor active cold loads spaceborne microwave radiometers stable radiometer design stable radiometer performance temperature value transistor-based cold load
