The receiver configuration and the choice between single-sideband and double-sideband of mirrored aperture synthesis radiometer

Different from the complex correlation of aperture synthesis radiometers (ASR), the in-phase output of the mirrored aperture synthesis radiometers (MASR) is measured. Therefore, the receiver configuration of the MASR and ASR is different. In order to analyze the choice between single-band and double-band of MASRs, firstly, the receiver configuration of the MASR is presented. Then, from the perspective of the signal processing of the MASRs, the cross-correlations for two modes are computed, and it is analyzed that whether or not the mirror-image interference is produced when the MASR images the targets at single-side band and double-side band mode. The theoretical results show that the mirror-image interference is not produced at single-side band and double-side band modes, the only difference is that the amplitude of double band for MASR is twice that of single-band, which is different with that when the ASR with I/Q demodulation after down-conversion receiver configuration image the targets at double-side band, the mirror-image interference is produced. Finally, the simulations of two point sources and rectangular source are carried out to verify the correctness of the theory. Research results provide a reference for the choice of the receiver configuration of MASR.