An Experimental Device for Real Time Determination of Slant Path Atmospheric Contrast Transmittance.
Abstract
A simple, yet relatively smart electro-optical system has been devised to do real-time monitoring of the optical state of the atmosphere. The system concept has been built around three solid state, no moving parts, transducer assemblies interfaced with a small dedicated microprocessor that can control the system in either a semi-automatic, or an operator interactive mode. The development status is such that each of the system sub-assemblies has been evaluated in an operational mock-up configuration, and has performed adequately to indicate technical feasibility. A new compact, multi-channel nephelometer has been developed which retains many of the features of the larger C-130 mounted version reported by Johnson (1981), but which requires only a few hundred watts of input power, and is less than one meter in length overall. A staring fisheye scanner using solid state detection has also performed well in its mock-up configuration. The in-flight computer system requirements have been evaluated and circuit mock-ups are in progress. Sub-assembly selections have been made based upon the demonstrated transducer performances in concert with the computational requirements which are illustrated. The pulse integration and multiplexing circuitry has been used in the evaluation o the nephelometer performance, and found to be satisfactory. Bread boarding of these circuits is underway.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA126758
Entities
People
- Richard W. Johnson
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography