K-Band Radio frequency Interference Survey of Southeastern Michigan

The Radio frequency Interference Survey of Earth (RISE) is a new type of instrument used to survey and characterize the presence of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that can affect microwave radiometers. It consists of a combined microwave radiometer and kurtosis spectrometer with broad frequency coverage and high temporal and spectral resolution. A K-Band airborne version has been built and flown across southeast Michigan. A kurtosis detector is included in RISE to reliably detect the presence of RFI, even at very low levels, and to aid in its characterization. A radiometer is included to measure the impact of the RFI on observed brightness temperature.