SMAP Radiometer Instrument Science Signal and Data Processing Software (SPS)

This technology was developed for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and for the IRAD-FY13 Technology for Radiometer RFI Noise Detection & Mitigation Based on HHT2. Spacecraft beyond the present state-of-the-art passive radiometry will make use of natural thermal emissions to remotely sense Earth phenomena of interest to science (soil moisture, for example) in the technologically challenging microwave L-band. In this 1.4-GHz band (used by SMAP), a terrestrial source thermal signal emission to space suffers less attenuation by the intervening atmosphere. Unfortunately, the relative insensitivity of the L-band region to atmospheric effects also makes it an extremely attractive spectral range for wireless communications and radars that are causing radio frequency interference (RFI) with the spaceflight science radiometer instruments’ terrestrial phenomenon signal of interest, even as this band is protected by radio-communication regulations. Detection and excision or mitigation of the RFI-contaminated measurements is a challenge to the state of the art.