From ERS To Sentinel 3 Altimetry Radiometers
- Paper number
IAC-07-B1.3.05
- Author
Mr. Silvio Varchetta, Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Michelangelo L'Abbate, Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Marco Mappini, Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Carlo Svara, Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The Microwave Radiometer is a passive instrument suitable for a wide range of applications in earth observation field as Hydrologic cycle studies, crops growing and health survey, Path delay correction in radar altimetry, sea ice studies, meteorological surveys and many others. In the frame of ESA GMES Sentinel 3 (S3) study is foreseen the presence of a radar altimeter with, as a radar companion instrument, a radiometer for correction of the path delay error coming from the variable wet component of the atmosphere. This kind of radiometers calls for a very good absolute accuracy performances. This target can be achieved by two different approach: with frequent calibration of the receiver gain or with an architecture that make the measurement very little dependent from the gain variations of the receiver. The Altimetry radiometers have long heritage that starts with ERS1 and continues through ERS 2 up to ENVISAT/MWR. All these radiometers were conceived with the Dicke architecture and with a complex calibration assembly composed by hot target, sky horn antenna and many switch interconnections. The study carried out in the S3 frame has traded-off the opportunity of considering an evolution of the above Dicke concept that adapts to the specific mission needs or to change completely approach making treasure of the most recent technological developments. Many options were taken in account as receiver architecture, number of frequency channel, redundancy approach, single or multi-feed horn antenna and calibration philosophy. As a results two different instrument are emerged as feasible options: an ENVISAT/MWR like fully redundant instrument and a completely new instrument based on the noise injection balancing technique. Both the proposed radiometer are self standing and flexible instruments with dedicated back-end that operate at two or three frequencies, fully redundant, with small envelope and lightweight
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B1.3.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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