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Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 5)
This work seeks to further the development of the cold-FET calibration technology designed f next generation multi-band microwave instruments for space-based remote sensing applications. The short term goal of this IRAD is to quantify the plausibility of implementing and advancing cold-FETs, as tradeoffs exist between the technical-feasibility of this utility i.e., impact to the science
measurement, SWaP minimization, adaptability to current and future mission instruments, and the
nontechnical-feasibility such as cost, ease of implementation, and the level of effort (LOE) in advancing the
cold-FET towards a stand-alone cold-calibration standard, which is the long-term goal of this work.
Thus this study consists of two phases. Phase 1, the Research Study and Literature Review, will be conducted to determine the non technical-feasibility of this technology. Phase 2 is an Empirical Research Study in cold-FET Calibration, embodies a creative approach to performing various calibration studies.
We believe this study will provide us with the information to fulfill the long-term goal of the design and development of a cold-FET as a stand-alone cold-calibration standard.
This project is expected to benefit any government agency interested in measuring snow and ice paramaters such as SWE, snow depth, etc. Thus NOAA and the NWS are two organizations who will directly benefit from this work as the cold-FET technology matures as expected.
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