Abstract
A functional diagram of a surface radiation mapping microwave radiometer system is presented. The system is proposed for use in agriculture, to map fields soil moisture, effectiveness of draining systems, etc. It has also many other useful applications, such as early detection of subsurface fires in peats and many more. Previous single-beam systems used a number of passes and long lasting flight times to obtain a map of the underlying surface. Some multi-beam systems used bulky electromechanical scanning antennae unsuitable for light aerial vehicles. Thus those systems were unaffordable to use for small agricultural businesses due to high production and operational costs. Authors propose low-cost microwave push-broom system that is based on a toroidal antenna and other budget components mass-produced for satellite television. Due to its low weight the complex can be mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The microwave complex is designed to use six to fourteen radiometer channels of different bands on a single toroidal antenna. This allows to form the underlying surface map containing radiation data with limited number of aircraft passes significantly reducing survey time. The possibility of simultaneous operation in the Ku and C bands has been successfully investigated.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
