Millimeter-wave imaging sensor data evaluation

Abstract

A passive 3-mm radiometer system with a mechanically scanned antenna was built for use on a small aircraft or an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to produce real near-real-time, moderate-resolution (0.5) images of the ground. One of the main advantages of this passive imaging sensor is that it is able to provide surveillance information through dust, smoke, fog and clouds when visual and IR systems are unusable. It can also be used for a variety of remote sensing applications, such as measurements of surface moisture, surface temperature, vegetation extent and snow cover. It is also possible to detect reflective objects under vegetation cover.