Programmable Sweep Radiometer System as a New Tool for Non-Invasive Thermometry

A new microwave radiometer system consisting of a frequency sweep-type radiometer and an ultra wideband antenna has been developed. A computer-controlled radiometer system covers the input frequency range from 0.5 GHz to 8 GHz. It can be used not only as a multispectral radiometer system whose frequencies can be chosen freely, but also as a frequency sweep-type radiometer system whose frequency is continuously swept during measurement. When an antenna is attached to a forearm, the sensitivity of the radiometer system exceeds 0.09 degree C when the integration time is 3 sec and IF bandwidth is 500 MHz. The new microwave radiometer system may be utilized for non-invasive thermometry of the human body.