Forward scatter sensor

Abstract

A forward scatter sensor is provided. The forward scatter sensor comprises: a transmitter arranged to emit a single light sheet; a receiver offset from a propagation path of the light sheet and arranged to observe light scattered from particles that fall through a measurement volume defined by an intersection of the propagation path of the light sheet and a field of view of the receiver; and a control entity comprising an analyzer arranged to record a measurement signal that is descriptive of intensity of light captured by the receiver as a function of time, wherein the analyzer is arranged tocarry out a precipitation analysis on basis of a time segment of the measurement signal, the analysis comprising: identifying, in said time segment of the measurement signal, one or more double peaksthat each represent a respective droplet and comprise a first peak that represents light refracted from the bottom of the respective droplet upon entry to the measurement volume and a second peak that represents light reflected from the top of the respective droplet upon exit from the measurement volume; deriving one or more precipitation parameters based at least in part on the identified one ormore double peaks; and deriving one or more precipitation indications based at least in part of the derived one or more precipitation parameters.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the operation of a forward scatter sensor for meteorological applications. In particular, non-limiting example embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a forward scatter sensor that enables accurate and reliable precipitation analysis. Background technique [0002] Sensor devices utilizing the forward scatter principle are widely used in atmospheric and meteorological research, eg for measurements of atmospheric visibility and / or for precipitation measurements. Here, we refer to this sensor device as a forward scatter sensor. [0003] Measurements performed using forward scatter sensors are based on the analysis of light scattered from particles in the atmosphere: the transmitter sends a cone-shaped beam of light to the receiver such that it deviates from the direct path between the transmitter and receiver, while the receiver captures light from Light scattered by particles in the atmosphere. The rec...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Environmental conditions can lead to gradual contamination and wear of the optical (and other) components of the forward scatter sensor, which in turn degrades the accuracy and reliability of measurements obtained from the forward scatter sensor

Another factor that may affect the measurement performance of a forward scatter sensor is that, due to continuous operation in field conditions, it is susceptible to external shocks that may not be large enough to cause actual damage, but may still cause damage to the transmitter and receiver detrimentally affects the alignment between the sensors, which can result in compromised measurement performance

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