An L-Band Phased Array Radiometer for Sea Surface Salinity in Coastal Zones

Sea surface salinity (SSS) in coastal zones with high temporal and spatial resolutions is also needed for scientific research and marine economy. However, one of the limitations of airborne L-band real-aperture microwave radiometers and synthesis aperture interferometric radiometers is high mass and volume or the high complexity of the system. To overcome the limitations, an L-band phased array radiometer is proposed as an alternative solution to monitor SSS in coastal zones from a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The L-band phased array radiometer is introduced, which only comprises a phased array and a single receiver. In addition, the calibration methods of the L-band phased array, radiometer that the external calibration method and the internal calibration method, are also introduced. A series of experiments was performed to assess the performance of the L-band phased array radiometer. The results indicate that the L-band phased array radiometer show a good performance in low pointing angles and low scanning angles. As a conclusion, the L-band phased array radiometer can be an alternative solution to monitor SSS in coastal zones with high temporal and spatial resolutions from a small UAV.