Realization of a Standard Radiometer for Microwave Brightness-Temperature Measurements Traceable to Fundamental Noise Standards

Published

July 22, 2012

Author(s)

Dazhen Gu, Derek A. Houtz, James P. Randa, Dave K. Walker

Abstract

We describe and demonstrate a standard radiometer for making microwave brightness-temperature measurements that are traceable to fundamental noise standards. The standard radiometer is based on a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) waveguide radiometer for 18-26.5 GHz, fitted with an antenna to measure radiated power. The fraction of the antenna pattern subtended by the radiating target is determined by anechoic-chamber measurements in which we vary the temperature of the target and measure the received power. Sample measurement results with uncertainties are presented. The typical standard uncertainty for a brightness temperature of around 340 K is about 1 K. The approach should be extendable to other waveguide bands where NIST has radiometers and standards.

Proceedings Title

2012 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Munich, Germany,

Conference Dates

July 22-27, 2012

Conference Location

Munich

Pub Type

Conferences

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DOI Link

Keywords

Blackbody targets, brightnes temperature, illumination efficiency, microwave radiometer.

Citation

Gu, D. , Houtz, D. , Randa, J. and Walker, D. (2012), Realization of a Standard Radiometer for Microwave Brightness-Temperature Measurements Traceable to Fundamental Noise Standards, 2012 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Munich, Germany, , Munich, -1, [online], https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS.2012.6350709 (Accessed October 16, 2025)