Linearity characterization of detectors for interferometric radiometers

The performance of the power detectors used to denormalize the digital correlations in interferometric radiometers may be degraded due to the non-linear behavior of the diode response. This work presents the comparison of two methods used to characterize and correct the non-linear response of the detectors. The results are illustrated by presenting the characterization of the power detectors in the MIRAS (Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis) instrument, the single payload of the ESA-SMOS mission.