Errors Resulting From the Reflectivity of Calibration Targets

Published

January 1, 2005

Author(s)

James P. Randa, Dave K. Walker, Robert L. Billinger, Amanda E. Cox

Abstract

For a microwave total power radiometer, we consider the error introduced by neglecting the difference int he antenna reflection coefficient between when it views a distant scene and a nearby calibration target. An approximate expression is presented for the error, and measurements are described that enable one to estimate the resulting uncertainty in the measured brightness temperature. The measurement results are presented for several combinations of antenna and calibration target. The resulting uncertainty ranges from about 0.1K to several kelvins fro the representative cases considered.

Citation

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Volume

43

Issue

1

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

calibration target, microwave radiometry, radiometer, remote sensing, uncertainty analysis

Citation

Randa, J. , Walker, D. , Billinger, R. and Cox, A. (2005), Errors Resulting From the Reflectivity of Calibration Targets, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=31584 (Accessed October 14, 2025)