Low-Cost Integrated Multi-Channel Microwave Radiometer Receivers for Hurricane Surface Wind Structure Measurement

This proposal describes the development of compact radiometer receiver modules intended for use in hurricane wind speed imaging radiometers and low cost single beam ocean wind speed sensors. The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad), currently under development by a team of government, university and industrial partners, will require ten high performance receiver channels, which must be compact and low cost. During Phase I, ProSensing developed a prototype compact C-band radiometer (CCR) receiver module that employs inexpensive surface mount components to implement a standard Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) in a small, lightweight package. In Phase II, we plan to develop a single sideband version of the CCR receiver module that is designed specifically for installation in the HIRad system. A compact-SFMR system will also be developed in Phase II, with a total instrument weight of 3 kg, including the CCR receiver and horn antenna. Two complete compact-SFMR instruments will be delivered to NOAA, one for deployment on a small UAV, and a second for measuring down welling atmospheric brightness temperature on the NOAA P-3 for improved low wind speed and rain rate measurements.