This paper describes a finite-element thermal model of an absolute radiometer designed for total solar irradiance (TSI) measurement in future satellite missions. The cavity-type absolute radiometer employs the electrical-substitution technique and active temperature control to determine the radiant power entering the receiving cavity. The nonequivalence between the shutter-open mode and shutter-closed mode due to different temperature distributions is a major factor that affects the radiometric accuracy. The analysis shows that the nonequivalence is a function of sensor positions and can be minimized by properly choosing the electrical heating method and the temperature sensor location.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
radiometers, thermal analysis, artificial satellites, atmospheric measuring apparatus, finite element analysis, temperature control, temperature measurement, temperature sensors, space vehicle electronics
Topics:
Cavities, Finite element analysis, Heating, Satellites, Solar energy, Temperature control, Temperature sensors, Solar radiation, Sensors, Finite element model
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