Radiometric imager having a frequency-dispersive linear array antenna

摘要

A radiometric imager for providing a series of registered images of a scene, each image corresponding to the radiation pattern for a unique, narrow frequency band. One embodiment includes a single frequency- dispersive linear antenna providing an output signal based on a series of conical fanbeams, with the antenna being controllably rocked about one axis and rotated about a perpendicular axis such that each fanbeam intersects each segment of the scene a plurality of times. In alternative embodiments, the imager includes a second frequency- dispersive linear antenna arranged in parallel with the first antenna to produce a fanbeam interferometer. Rocking movement of the two antennas coupled with either translation of the two antennas, rotation of the two antennas about an axis parallel with the antenna axes, or movement of the two antennas toward and away from each other, provides sufficient data to permit creation of the registered images.