Analysis of Array Distortion in a Microwave Interferometric Radiometer: Application to the GeoSTAR Project

Author

Torres, Frances ; Tanner, Alan B. ; Brown, Shannon T. ; Lambrigsten, Bjorn H.

Author_Institution

Polytech. Univ. of Catalonia, Catalonia

Volume

45

Issue

7

fYear

2007

fDate

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1958

Lastpage

1966

Abstract

The geostationary synthetic thinned array radiometer represents a promising new approach to microwave atmospheric sounding from geostationary orbit based on passive interferometry. Distortion due to mechanical or thermal constraints produces a displacement of the ideal antenna positions in the array that causes sampling errors. In this paper, the impact of array distortion on radiometric error is analyzed in detail so as to identify the dominant sources of error. A preliminary analysis showing that array distortion can be well corrected by means of an external phase reference is also presented.

Keywords

distortion; error analysis; microwave antenna arrays; radiometers; radiometry; radiowave interferometry; GeoSTAR project; array distortion; external phase reference; geostationary orbit; geostationary synthetic thinned array radiometer microwave atmospheric sounding; ideal antenna positions; microwave interferometric radiometer; passive interferometry; radiometric error; sampling errors; Apertures; Error analysis; Extraterrestrial measurements; Laboratories; Microwave antenna arrays; Microwave radiometry; Phased arrays; Propulsion; Radio interferometry; Space technology; Array; distortion; error analysis; interferometry; radiometry; remote sensing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0196-2892

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TGRS.2007.898093

Filename

4261083