Title

Deep-space calibration of the WindSat radiometer

Authors

Authors

W. L. Jones; J. D. Park; S. Soisuvarn; L. Hong; P. W. Gaiser;K. M. S. Germain

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing

Keywords

calibration; radiometer; WindSat; Geochemistry & Geophysics; Engineering, Electrical & Electronic; Remote; Sensing; Imaging Science & Photographic Technology

Abstract

The WindSat microwave polarimetric radiometer consists of 22 channels of polarized brightness temperatures operating at five frequencies: 6.8, 10.7, 18.7, 23.8, and 37.0 GHz. The 10.7-, 18.7-, and 37.0-GHz channels are fully polarimetric (vertical/horizontal, +/- 45 degrees and left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized) to measure the four Stokes radiometric parameters. The principal objective of this Naval Research Laboratory experiment, which flys on the USAF Coriolis satellite, is to provide the proof of concept of the first passive measurement of ocean surface wind vector from space. This paper presents details of the on-orbit absolute radiometric calibration procedure, which was performed during of a series of satellite pitch maneuvers. During these special tests, the satellite pitch was slowly ramped to +45 degrees (and -45 degrees), which caused the WindSat conical spinning antenna to view deep space during the forward (or aft portion) of the azimuth scan. When viewing the homogeneous and isotropic brightness of space (2.73 K) through both the main reflector and the cold-load calibration reflector, it is possible to determine the absolute calibration of the individual channels and the relative calibration bias between polarimetric channels. Results demonstrate consistent and stable channel calibrations (with very small brightness biases) that exceed the mission radiometric calibration requirements.

Journal Title

Ieee Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Volume

44

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

476

Last Page

495

WOS Identifier

WOS:000235785800003

ISSN

0196-2892

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