Multi-Wave DIAL Lidar for Granular Atmospheric Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to provide granular atmospheric gas and particulate data for aviation, which is crucial for avoiding contrail formation and engine degradation, due to limitations in spatial granularity and range of analyte detection.
Innovation Solution
A multi-wave differential absorption LIDAR system that uses multiple lasers to emit light at specific wavelengths corresponding to absorption peaks and troughs, measuring backscattered light to determine analyte concentrations, integrated with AI/ML models for predictive analytics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and spatial granularity of analyte detection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process by using multiple illuminators, each tuned to specific wavelengths corresponding to absorption peaks and troughs of target analytes. This segmentation of the spectral range allows precise measurement of different gases (water vapor, CO2, methane) and particulates at granular spatial intervals less than 1 kilometer, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by dividing the detection function across multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illuminating light to match specific absorption characteristics of different analytes. By tuning illuminators to emit at wavelengths corresponding to absorption peaks and troughs in the atmospheric window region, the system achieves high measurement precision for multiple analytes simultaneously while maintaining a manageable device architecture through parameter optimization.
2Measurement precision
If multi-wave DIAL system is implemented, then measurement precision of analyte concentration is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic pulsing of multiple illuminators rather than continuous operation. Each illuminator is activated in sequence at specific intervals to emit light at different wavelengths, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision for multiple analytes while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous multi-wavelength illumination.
3Reliability
If granular atmospheric data is collected, then ability to avoid contrails and engine degradation is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of atmospheric conditions ahead of the aircraft's flight path. By continuously collecting granular data on water vapor, CO2, methane concentrations and particulate matter, and processing this data in real-time, the system provides advance warning of contrail-forming conditions and CMAS pockets, enabling navigational corrections before the aircraft encounters harmful conditions, thus improving reliability without significant time loss.
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 precise measurement of atmospheric gases and particulates, allowing aircraft to avoid contrails and engine degradation by providing granular data for navigational corrections, extending engine life and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first illuminator configured to emit light through the illumination and light collection optics at a first wavelength corresponding to a first absorption peak in an absorption curve of a first analyte of interest
Implementation Method 2
a first wavelength corresponding to a first absorption peak in an absorption curve of a first analyte of interest
Implementation Method 3
illumination and light collection optics configured to illuminate a targeted region of interest and receive backscattered light from the targeted region of interest
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes illumination and light collection optics configured to illuminate a targeted region of interest and receive backscattered light from the targeted region of interest. The system includes a differential absorption light detection and ranging (“DIAL”) sub-system with a first illuminator configured to emit light, through the illumination and light collection optics at a first wavelength corresponding to a first absorption peak of in an absorption curve of a first analyte of interest, and a second illuminator configured to emit light, through the illumination and light collection optics at a second wavelength corresponding to a first absorption trough in the absorption curve of the first analyte of interest, wherein the second wavelength is adjacent to the first wavelength. The system includes a controller configured to determine a concentration of the first analyte of interest in the targeted region of interest.