Bore-Sighted Spectrometers for Semi-Transparent Source Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for remote sensing of semi-transparent transient sources, such as clouds and volcanic plumes, struggle with accurately measuring and analyzing their rapidly changing, weak spectral absorption lines due to their partial transparency and lack of a definite geometrical shape, which complicates radiative transfer calculations and requires high computational power, often compromising on data quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving bore-sighting spectrometers and optic devices on platforms to simultaneously measure and analyze semi-transparent transient sources, using data folding and a modified curve of growth analysis to separate source from background, allowing for accurate spectral and radiative transfer calculations, and optimizing data collection and analysis to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and temporal resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing remote sensing methods are used to measure semi-transparent transient sources, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to weak spectral absorption lines and partial transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple measurements of the same field-of-view at different times and folding (averaging) the spectral data before analysis. This pre-processing step accumulates signal information while reducing random noise, thereby improving the detectability of weak spectral absorption lines in semi-transparent transient sources before the actual radiative transfer calculation is performed.
2Measurement precision
If high computational power is used for radiative transfer calculations, then calculation accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to computational intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing data folding (averaging) of multiple spectral measurements before conducting radiative transfer calculations. This pre-processing step reduces noise and improves signal quality, allowing for more accurate calculations with reduced computational requirements. The preliminary consolidation of data into an averaged spectrum with higher signal-to-noise ratio enables subsequent analysis to achieve better accuracy without proportionally increasing computational power.
3Measurement precision
If data folding is performed to separate source from background, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs during data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing data folding (averaging) of multiple spectral measurements as a pre-processing step before radiative transfer calculations. This preliminary consolidation of data improves the signal-to-noise ratio and enables better separation of the transient source signal from the background, creating a cleaner input dataset that facilitates more accurate subsequent analysis.
4Loss of information
If simultaneous measurement of spectral and imaging data is performed, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single spectrometer to perform multiple functions: both spectral measurement and imaging. By operating the spectrometer in different modes or configurations, the same instrument captures both the spectral characteristics and the spatial distribution of the transient source, eliminating the need for separate specialized instruments and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, high-resolution characterization of semi-transparent transient sources' radiative properties, overcoming the challenges of weak spectral signals and computational inefficiencies, providing accurate vertical temperature and concentration profiles.
Implementation Method 1
measuring and analyzing their rapidly changing, weak spectral absorption lines
Implementation Method 2
remote sensing of semi-transparent transient sources
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses, inter alia, a method for measuring and analyzing semi-transparent transient sources by remote sensing, comprising the steps of bore-sighting at least one spectrometer and at least one optic device selected from a group consisting of one or more spectrometers, one or more imagers, and at least one spectrometer and at least one imager; mounting at least one bore-sighted pair on at least one platform; and pointing simultaneously all platforms towards at least one field of view. The invention also discloses a platform for remote sensing of semi-transparent transient source comprising at least one first spectrometer in a first wavelength range; at least one second optic device selected from a group consisting of one or more spectrometers, one or more imagers, and at least one spectrometer and at least one imager; each of which is sensitive either in said first wavelength range or in any second wavelength range; at least one platform; wherein said at least one first spectrometer and said at least one second spectrometer are mounted on said platform and bore-sighted to observe the same or at least overlapping field of view.