Abstract:

The blackbody calibration targets applied for microwave radiometer’s prelaunch calibration are optimized with its electromagnetic and thermal characteristics. Based on the method of emissivity optimization with radar cross section (RCS) simulation and the method of subgrid finite difference time domain (FDTD), the following design rules are summarized: that the round wedge is better than the square one, the best ratio from height to bottom radius is 4:1, for wide band calibration, the multilayer absorbing material coating is efficient to increase the emissivity, and the gradual thickness absorbing material coating is helpful to guarantee the uniform distribution of surface temperature even as it keeps a higher emissivity. Finally following the above conclusions, a new type of blackbody calibration target with the cellular array is preferred to improve the uniformity of polarization, which will increase the performance of the calibration targets further.