Historically Farran has always been actively involved in radiometric solutions primarily for ground based meteorology and radio propagation studies below 100GHz. Most recently focus has been on the development of solutions using robust, high performance GaAs MMIC LNA technologies to meet the demand for smaller, lighter and higher frequency radiometers. Such radiometers have already been designed from 30GHz up to 300GHz to meet the requirements of certain applications such as a custom space qualified radiometer for earth remote sensing, imaging radiometer for security screening and marine environmental monitoring as well as other applications like atmospheric research, sounding, meteorology and radio propagation studies. Designs can be modular or integrated using a variety of techniques depending upon required performance using state-of-the-art MMIC’s, sub-harmonic mixers and high sensitivity detectors. Solutions where possible employ a direct amplification and detection technique offering excellent sensitivity performance for a Total Power Radiometer type and high performance sub-harmonic mixers for heterodyne systems at higher frequencies. Any number of channels can be incorporated into a solution along with different frequency bands as well as dual polarisation capability.
   The result of this work has been to produce excellent custom solutions for our customers offering state-of-the-art performance in terms of precision, accuracy and stability and for space applications, low mass and power consumption.
   Future applications will be based around the evolution of higher frequency MMIC LNA’s and Schottky diodes, to achieve direct detection solutions beyond 200GHz, and for higher THz frequencies, sub-harmonic mixers for heterodyne systems.