MIRAS

The SMOS satellite carries the innovative Microwave Imaging Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis, MIRAS, instrument. It consists of a central structure and three arms. There are 69 antenna elements called Licef receivers, which are equally distributed over the three arms and central hub. Each Licef is antenna-receiver integrated unit that measures the radiation emitted from Earth's surface at L-band. The signal is then transmitted to a central correlator unit that performs interferometry cross-correlations of the signals between all possible combinations of receiver pairs. MIRAS operates in two measurement modes: dual-polarisation or polarimetric mode.