Application Concept of Zero Method Measurement in Microwave Radiometers

Abstract

This article examined in detail microwave radiometer functioning algorithm with synchronously using of the two types of pulse modulation: amplitude pulse modulation and pulse-width modulation. This allows a zero-radiometer measurement method to realize when the fluctuation effect of the receiver gain and the influence of its own noise changes are minimized. A zero balance automatically maintains in radiometer. The antenna signal is indirectly determined through the signal duration that controls the pulse-width modulation. An analytical expression of the fluctuation sensitivity was obtained in a general form. From its analysis gain in sensitivity, conditions were defined by the optimizing of the radiometer input knot’s construction. Three modifications of the radiometer input knot were researched. Fluctuation sensitivity at different measurement range was determined for modification of the radiometer input knot.