• Profiling
  Microwave Radiometers
• Atmospheric Window
  Microwave Radiometers
• Microwave
  Radiometer Systems
• Antennas and
  Microwave Components
• Marine Profiling
  Radiometer
• PRACO
   

The following are instruments designed by the staff of the BEST, in possession of the Center for Environmental Technology at University of Colorado at Boulder.

• Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer System
• Ground-based Scanning Radiometer

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PSR on NRL Pallet

Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer System PSR

Radiometer system developed for flights on traditional and unmanned aircrafts. PSR is able to provide passive microwave imaging of surface parameters such as ocean winds, snow, sea ice parameters, soil moisture. The instrument has three major parts:

• Scanhead, a protective housing available to rotate according to programmed mode in any direction with the shortest azimuthal period of ~ 2.5 s. Scanhead houses the radiometers, computer, power supply and other electronics necessary for data sampling and Ethernet communication with other parts of instrument.
• Positioner, mechanical assembly used to rotate the scanhead. Also includes two calibration targets, one ambient and one hot. Scanhead radiometers observe the targets in a programmed interval for external calibration. (note: all radiometers also have internal calibration).
• Electronic boxes - two boxes with electronics to control the motion, interface to the airplane, record the data and communicate via Ethernet with other network computers.

To read more about the PSR, many of its successful mission and to check out the data observed please visit: http://cet.colorado.edu/instruments/psr/

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GSR in Barrow

Ground-based Scanning Radiometer GSR

For ground based observation - atmospheric profiling - another variation of the instrument was developed. It is called a Ground-based Scanning Radiometer and it is currently in operation on ARM site in Barrow, Alaska. This positioner also uses two calibration targets, one is cooled other is heated. Its unique method of scan and availability to observe almost complete horizon to horizon vertical scan while all the radiometers axes are aligned with natural Earth polarization are very unique features for ground based profiling radiometers. Members of the BEST have a patent pending for its design.

Three scanheads are operational and could be installed on either airborne positioners - PSR, or on the ground positioner - GSR:

• PSR/A
• PSR/C/X
• PSR/S

To read more about the GSR please visit: http://cet.colorado.edu/instruments/gsr/