FOG BANK DETECTOR FIELD TESTS: A TECHNICAL SUMMARY

The report summarizes the results of field experiments performed at Pt. Bonita, California. The system under study, a laser LIDAR and a vertical-scanning infrared radiometer, have been discussed in detail in Report No. DOT-TSC-CG-71-3. Measurements of the peak power and shape of the return LIDAR pulse, and of the background levels, support the assumptions made in that report. The largest value of background spectral radiance measured, when a sunlit cloud fills the LIDAR receiver field-of-view, is 2 micro w/sq cm/A/sr (at 6943A). The infrared radiometer was found to be susceptible to ambiguities serious enough to eliminate this method from use as a reliable fog detector at the present time. Based on the laser backscatter results, a LIDAR fog bank detector, using a GaAlAs laser diode array as the transmitting source, is recommended and conclusions regarding its technical performance are presented.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Lifsitz, J R
  • Yaffee, M Y
• Publication Date: 1971-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backscattering; Fog; Infrared detectors; Lasers; Optical detectors; Optical radar; Performance; Radiometers; Reliability
• Geographic Terms: California
• Old TRIS Terms: Background; Gallium arsenide lasers; Performance engineering; Radiance; Ruby lasers

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00092008
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: TSC-USCG-72-2 Tech. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-202
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1976 12:00AM