Measurements on Active Cold Loads for Radiometer Calibration

Two semiconductor active cold loads (ACLs) to be used as cold references in spaceborne microwave radiometers have been developed. An X-band frequency was chosen, and the target noise temperature value was in the 50-100-K range. The ACLs are characterized in the operating temperature range of 0degC-5...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on geoscience and remote sensing 2009-09, Vol.47 (9), p.3134-3139
Main Authors: Sobjaerg, S.S., Skou, N., Balling, J.E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active cold loads (ACLs)
Applied geophysics
Calibration
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Frequency
Internal geophysics
microwave
Microwave measurements
Microwave radiometers
Microwave radiometry
Noise temperature
Operating temperature
radiometer
Radiometers
Semiconductor device noise
Semiconductors
Space cooling
Stability
System testing
Temperature distribution
Temperature sensors
X-band
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Summary:Two semiconductor active cold loads (ACLs) to be used as cold references in spaceborne microwave radiometers have been developed. An X-band frequency was chosen, and the target noise temperature value was in the 50-100-K range. The ACLs are characterized in the operating temperature range of 0degC-50degC, and long-term stability is assessed. To this end, a test bed has been developed. This test bed is actually a stable radiometer, and its design and performance are discussed. The test setup is described, and test campaign results indicate output temperatures of 77 and 56 K for the two ACLs. The temperature sensitivity is slightly below 0.4 K/degC for the units, and long-term stability within 2 K/year is observed.
ISSN:0196-2892
1558-0644
DOI:10.1109/TGRS.2009.2017015