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

This proposal describes the development of low-cost, microwave integrated circuit receivers for a synthetic aperture Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad). The HIRad system, designed to generate high resolution ocean surface wind speed data in a push-broom imaging mode, will provide a variety of benefits, including improved hurricane model initialization and detection of fine-scale storm structure. HIRad, a synthetic aperture radiometer, will require ten (10) high performance receiver channels, which must be compact, and low cost in design. During Phase I, we propose to design and build a prototype, integrated circuit receiver, with integrated COLFET and ambient loads, allowing continuous receiver calibration. In addition, we plan to develop a system integration plan for assembly of the complete HIRad system in Phase II, using receivers built by ProSensing, together with a government supplied antenna and data processor.