Passive Imaging Millimeter Wave Polarimeter System

The major objective of this Phase I proposal is to design a millimeter wave radiometer system that can be mounted on an airborne platform, including a UAV. This system will exhibit several advanced features. First, it will accommodate a mechanical scan unit that will develop sufficient spin to synchronize antenna rotation rate with the forward motion of the aircraft in order to image in a push broom fashion. Second, the millimeter wave receivers will be designed to measure all four Stokes parameters, with particular attention to be focused on the implementation of satisfactory calibration procedures. Finally, the process will strive to design a system that will achieve the best possible image spatial resolution without overburdening the UAV resources of size, weight, and power.