Digital correlator performance analysis for a synthetic aperture imaging radiometer

A numerical simulator has been developed to assess various design implications for a digital correlator used by a synthetic aperture imaging radiometer. Of particular interest are the effects of the number of bits used in the correlation and the accuracy requirements of automatic gain control circuitry needed to maintain digitization threshold levels relative to signal power levels. The simulator permits control of the type of digitization, the digitization thresholds with respect to noise power, the relative power levels of the radiometer system noise and brightness temperature signal, and the degree of correlation between the two antenna signals which are being correlated. A number of case studies will be presented and radiometer design implications discussed