C-Band Radiometer for Continuum Observations at RATAN-600 Radio Telescope

Abstract

We describe the development of the tools and methods of 4.7-GHz band observations on RATAN-600 radio telescope and present a new design solution—a radiometric unit, and the development of an uncooled tuned receiver based on this unit and meant for operating in the “total power” radiometer mode.We discuss the design of the radio unit and the specificities of the radiometer design.We demonstrate the possibility of conducting observations in the total power radiometer mode at the theoretical sensitivity on time scales up to 10 seconds. The sensitivity of such a radiometer remains higher than that of a Dicke radiometer on time scales up to 100 seconds.