Profiling Radiometer for Atmospheric and Cloud Observation

The role of clouds in climate and weather is known to be very important, but is still not fully understood. Making accurate and comprehensive observations is the first step towards fuller discovery and understanding. This project will develop an innovative passive microwave remote sensor that will be able to observe cloud parameters such as extinction, total water content, liquid plus ice, liquid and ice separately, temperature, and water vapor profiles. The instrument will be highly integrated, compact, and lightweight (about the size of a loaf of bread with a weight less than 5 kg); will operate with minimal power consumption; will have an ability to scan 360° in a vertical plane without polarization vector mixing; and will have antenna beamwidths greater than 6°. Phase I will select optimal channels for observations, design instrument mechanics, develop a calibration scheme and an electrical block diagram, and demonstrate the integration of critical components for a receiver. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The simplicity, small size, and minimal power consumption of the passive radiometer would give this device a significant advantage over radars, lidars and other active instruments. The future customer base should include research institutions within NOAA, NASA, NCAR, and others. The broader society would benefit from improved weather forecasts, more detailed and more exact hurricane track forecasts, and warnings of droughts and floods.