On the sensitivity of fire detection by a microwave radiometer

In the paper the detectability of a fire by a microwave radiometer is investigated. Simulations of several scenarios and together with outdoor measurement were performed in order to confirm detectability of the fire of specific temperature distributions and dimensions. Various scenarios for fire sensing were numerically modeled and simulated. Real parameters of antenna radiation pattern and radiometer sensitivity were taken into account. The concept of fire detectability verification was tested on real measurement data and then applied in a large scale on analyses of scaled airborne sensing of an environment. The results clearly indicate the possibilities and limits of detection with currently available radiometers.