Since the mid 1980s, aperture synthesis interferometric radiometers have received increased attention to monitor the Earth at low microwave frequencies (L-band), where there is a maximum sensitivity to soil moisture and ocean salinity. At L-band, classic radiometers require large steerable antennas to meet the spatial resolution requirements (30-50 km at most, 10-20 km wished for), from a low polar orbit platform. During the 1990s, technological studies were conducted by the ESA with an eye to design a 2D synthetic aperture L-Band radiometer (the Microwave Imaging Radiometer by Aperture Synthesis project: MIRAS). In 1998, in answer to a call for Earth Explorer Opportunity Missions issued by ESA, the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity Mission proposal (SMOS), based upon a radiometer concept derived from the MIRAS studies, was submitted, In 1999, following a selection procedure, ESA approved the SMOS mission for an extended phase. This paper summarize part of the work carried out on the interferometric radiometry concept and the optimization of the instrument configuration.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    New radiometers: SMOS-a dual pol L-band 2D aperture synthesis radiometer


    Contributors:
    Kerr, Y. (author) / Font, J. (author) / Waldteufel, P. (author) / Camps, A. (author) / Bara, J. (author) / Corbella, I. (author) / Torres, F. (author) / Duffo, N. (author) / Vallilossera, M. (author) / Caudal, G. (author)


    Publication date :

    2000-01-01


    Size :

    1297857 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    New Radiometers: SMOS A Dual Pol L-band 2D Aperture Synthesis Radiometer

    Kerr, Y. / Font, J. / Waldteufel, P. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    L-Band Radiometer Experiment in the SMOS Test Site Upper Danube

    Schlenz, F. / Gebhardt, T. / Loew, A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    One Point Calibration in Interferometric Radiometers: MIRAS/SMOS Preliminary Results

    Torres, F. / Corbella, I. / Duffo, N. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    L-Band Radiometer Experiment in the SMOS Test Site Upper Danube

    Schlenz, F. / Gebhardt, T. / Loew, A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    ELBARAII, L-Band Radiometer Systems to be Deployed for SMOS Cal/Val Purposes

    Wiesmann, A. / Werner, C. / Schwank, M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010