Radiometer Calibration Cold Loads (COLFETs)

Cold Loads for Radiometer Calibration

ProSensing designs and builds cold-reference loads for use in radiometer calibration.  Also referred to as COLFETs, these devices operate at ambient temperature, yet have a brightness temperature that was previously obtainable only from cryogenic cooling.  ProSensing radiometers that use these COLFETs have shown long-term calibration drift of less than 2K-per-year.

Custom designs for narrow and wide bandwidth operation are available upon request.

 

COLFET Features

• Small size (typ: 1.5″ x 1.0″ x 0.5″)

• Low electrical power requirement (typ: 8VDC, 0.03A)

• Cold brightness temperature (typ: < 150K)

• Current designs include L-band (1.4 GHz) and C-band (5-7 GHz).