Deep-space calibration of the WindSat radiometer

    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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