Characterization of a space-class Fourier transform spectrometer against a detailed performance model

ITT has conducted a technology-development program to meet the objectives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for meteorological sounders. A detailed system performance model for Fourier transform spectrometers was developed for the Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. The robust-design approach used for this project optimized the sensor design by translating sensor noise specifications into detailed subsystem requirements. The project´s model used the expected performance of the spectrometer´s major subsystems to make both nominal and worst-case noise predictions for the total system performance. This approach provided the information needed to meet NOAA´s objectives, leading to the design of a Fourier-transform spectrometer which met NOAA´s noise-performance requirements