Radiometric attenuation for beacon calibration: A preliminary analysis on accuracy and reliability

Abstract

A microwave radiometer profiler is used to determine the no-attenuation level relative to which beacon atmospheric attenuation is measured. A technique that can be used for the discrimination of atmospheric conditions (clear-sky, cloudy, rainy) from the measured slant-path brightness temperatures is discussed, with the aim of improving the accuracy and the reliability of the radiometric correction. IndexTerms-microwave radiometer, atmospheric attenuation, beacon calibration.