SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal describes the development of low-cost, microwave integrated circuit receivers for a synthetic aperture Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad). The HIRad system, designed to generate high resolution ocean surface wind speed data in a push-broom imaging mode, will provide a variety of benefits, including improved hurricane model initialization and detection of fine-scale storm structure. HIRad, a synthetic aperture radiometer, will require ten (10) high performance receiver channels, which must be compact, and low cost in design. During Phase I, we propose to design and build a prototype, integrated circuit receiver, with integrated COLFET and ambient loads, allowing continuous receiver calibration. In addition, we plan to develop a system integration plan for assembly of the complete HIRad system in Phase II, using receivers built by ProSensing, together with a government supplied antenna and data processor. SUMMARY OF

Anticipated Results:
Successful completion of Phase I and Phase II R&D will result in the construction of the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad) that will provide high resolution (on the order of 500 n) images of ocean surface wind speed and column integrated rain rate over a swath width of 10 km or more. Data from this instrument will help improve initialization of hurricane forecast models.

This proposal describes the development of compact radiometer receiver modules intended for use in hurricane wind speed imaging radiometers and low cost single beam ocean wind speed sensors. The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad), currently under development by a team of government, university and industrial partners, will require ten high performance receiver channels, which must be compact and low cost. During Phase I, ProSensing developed a prototype compact C-band radiometer (CCR) receiver module that employs inexpensive surface mount components to implement a standard Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) in a small, lightweight package. In Phase II, we plan to develop a single sideband version of the CCR receiver module that is designed specifically for installation in the HIRad system. A compact-SFMR system will also be developed in Phase II, with a total instrument weight of 3 kg, including the CCR receiver and horn antenna. Two complete compact-SFMR instruments will be delivered to NOAA, one for deployment on a small UAV, and a second for measuring down welling atmospheric brightness temperature on the NOAA P-3 for improved low wind speed and rain rate measurements. SUMMARY OF

Anticipated Results:
Successful completion of Phase I and Phase II R&D will result in the construction of the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad) that will provide high resolution (on the order of 500 m) images of ocean surface wind speed and column integrated rain rate over a swath width of 10 km or more