SBIR Phase I: MMW Polarimeter for Ice Detection

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目建议开发一种通用的单通道极化接收器。一种新的基于旋转位相板的偏振测量技术使得只使用一个接收通道就可以测量入射辐射的所有四个斯托克斯参数成为可能，而传统的技术需要至少三个通道才能达到相同的目的。建议的设备的主要应用是在飞行中检测构成结冰危险的云。测量这些云(辐射测量法)发射或从(雷达)反射的辐射的斯托克斯参数被证明对确定它们的潜在危险是有用的。该设备既可以作为独立的辐射计，也可以作为雷达系统的接收器。建议的极化接收器结构紧凑，能够以优异的灵敏度和分辨率检测结冰情况，并可在现有基础设施中制造。迫切需要这样一种低成本和高性能的产品来检测飞行路线上的潜在危险云层，特别是对于直升机、商业通勤机和轻型、私人、非加压飞机。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes the development of a universal single-channel polarimetric receiver. A novel polarization measurement technique based on a spinning phase plate makes it possible to measure all four Stokes parameters of the incoming radiation with the use of one receiving channel only, while the conventional technique requires at least three channels for the same purpose. The major application of the proposed device is the in-flight detection of clouds that pose icing hazard. Measurement of the Stokes parameters of the radiation emitted by(radiometry) or reflected from (radar) these clouds proved to be useful for the determination of their potential danger. The device can operate as both a stand-alone radiometer and as the receiver of a radar system.The proposed polarimetric receiver is compact, capable of detecting icing conditions with excellent sensitivity and resolution, and manufacturable within existing infrastructure.There is an urgent need for such a low-cost and high-performance product for detecting potentially hazardous clouds along the flight paths, especially for helicopters, commercial commuter aircraft, and light, private, unpressurized aircraft.