The 'Polar' MTP 5 uses the same microwave radiometer and electronics as the MTP 5-H. However, it is designed to provide much improved altitude resolution in the first 100m range. This is important for measurements over snow and ice, where temperature gradients can be very steep over small height increments. Similar effects can be observed over desert surfaces.
To achieve the improved resolution, a much narrower field-of-view is required, 1º or less. Therefore, a larger signal capture area is needed to maintain the performance. A parabolic dish antenna has the radiometer attached directly to it and is rotated in very small angular steps.
The housing is much larger than that of MTP 5-H and MTP 5-HE. The Teflon™ cover does not rotate, so dirt is not compensated for and the cover must be kept clean.
