SBIR-STTR Award

The major objective of this Phase I proposal is to design a millimeter wave radiometer system that can be mounted on an airborne platform, including a UAV. This system will exhibit several advanced features. First, it will accommodate a mechanical scan unit that will develop sufficient spin to synchronize antenna rotation rate with the forward motion of the aircraft in order to image in a push broom fashion. Second, the millimeter wave receivers will be designed to measure all four Stokes parameters, with particular attention to be focused on the implementation of satisfactory calibration procedures. Finally, the process will strive to design a system that will achieve the best possible image spatial resolution without overburdening the UAV resources of size, weight, and power.

Keywords:
Millimeter Wave, Radiometer, Stokes Parameters, Polarimetric, Imaging, Uav

The objective of the Phase II Program is the successful development and demonstration of an airborne Sensor that simultaneously generates passive millimeter wave images of the terrain in all four Stokes Parameters. The Imaging Sensor will be the Baseline Configuration designed in Phase I. The performance capabilities of the Imager will be demonstrated in an airborne helicopter test. The flight test is included in the proposed scope of the Phase II Program. During Phase II, we will initiate direct discussions with potential Users concerning an extensive series of application oriented demonstrations of Stokes Sensor capabilities. Demonstration measurements will be performed in Phase III and will include a variety of scenarios of interest to the DoD, and the Army in particular.

Keywords:
Polarimetric, Stokes, Millimeter Wave, Imager,