A millimeterwave network analyzer based scatterometer

The Millimeterwave Polarimeter (MMP) is a network-analyzer-based scatterometer and reflectometer system that has been developed to characterize radar clutter at 35, 94, and 140 GHz. A Hewlett-Packard 8510A network analyzer is used in the MMP system as a signal conditioner and processor to facilitate real-time data reduction, to reduce the short time-delay leakage noise inherent in traditional FM/CW radar, and to further enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the system through signal processing techniques. Operation of the system at millimeter wavelengths is achieved with upconversion and harmonic downconversion. The use of harmonic downconverters permits low-frequency signal connections between components of the system and allows easy reconfiguration in either scatterometer, bistatic, or reflection/transmission modes.<
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