Profiling of selected atmospheric characteristics utilizing passive microwave remote sensing
First Claim
1. For use in a passive remote sensing device having antenna means for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions containing frequencies of interest, an apparatus for providing a profile of a selected atmospheric characteristic comprising:
- continuously tunable oscillating means for providing a plurality of selected frequency outputs; and
downconverting means for receiving said plurality of selected frequency outputs from said oscillating means and said emissions from said antenna means and, responsive thereto, providing output signals indicative of microwave energy emitted by the atmosphere at said frequencies of interest and representing said profile of said atmospheric characteristic.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for profiling atmospheric temperature, water vapor and/or cloud liquid content utilizing passive microwave remote sensing are disclosed. The apparatus includes an antenna for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions having frequencies of interest, a highly stable, tunable frequency synthesizer, and downconverting system receiving selected frequency outputs from the synthesizer and the received emissions and, responsive thereto, providing output signals indicative of the frequencies of interest and representing the profile.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. For use in a passive remote sensing device having antenna means for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions containing frequencies of interest, an apparatus for providing a profile of a selected atmospheric characteristic comprising:
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continuously tunable oscillating means for providing a plurality of selected frequency outputs; and downconverting means for receiving said plurality of selected frequency outputs from said oscillating means and said emissions from said antenna means and, responsive thereto, providing output signals indicative of microwave energy emitted by the atmosphere at said frequencies of interest and representing said profile of said atmospheric characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A passive microwave radiometer for determining a profile of a selected atmospheric characteristic comprising:
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antenna means for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions containing frequencies of interest; frequency synthesizing means tunable across a plurality of user selected frequency intervals that are responsive to said atmospheric microwave emissions at said frequencies of interest; and downconverting means connected with said antenna means and said frequency synthesizing means for generating output signals indicative of said atmospheric microwave emissions at said frequencies of interest responsive to receipt of said emissions and tuning of said frequency synthesizing means across said intervals to provide said profile. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for profiling a selected atmospheric characteristic comprising the steps of:
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admitting atmospheric microwave emissions containing frequencies of interest into a volume; synthesizing a plurality of signals responsive to said atmospheric microwave emissions at said frequencies of interest and admitting said signals into said volume to downconvert said emissions from said frequencies of interest; and generating output signals indicative of microwave energy emitted by the atmosphere at said frequencies of interest to provide a profile of said atmospheric characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification