Optical Air Data Emitter Gating and SNR-Based Pair Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical air data systems face challenges in data reception due to attenuation by ice or dust and optical noise from the Sun, which can obscure optical receivers and affect the accuracy of air data parameter calculations.
Innovation Solution
The system disables optical emitters whose line of sight points towards Earth or the Sun and selects a subset of optical receivers with the highest signal-to-noise ratios to determine air data parameters, ensuring accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all optical emitter-receiver pairs are used to determine air data parameters, then the system can potentially provide more data points and improve measurement redundancy, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to inclusion of pairs affected by ice, dust, or solar noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the selection criteria for optical pairs based on measured signal-to-noise ratios. By filtering pairs based on their SNR performance and adjusting which pairs are active for data collection, the system optimizes measurement precision while maintaining reliability through redundant pairs that meet threshold criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes degraded pairs from the active measurement set. By identifying pairs with low signal-to-noise ratios caused by ice, dust, or solar interference and excluding them from air data parameter calculations, the system maintains measurement precision using only high-quality data sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical emitters point towards Earth or the Sun to maximize coverage, then the system can gather data from more regions, but harmful factors such as solar noise and regulatory compliance issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts emitter-receiver pair configurations based on real-time conditions including solar position, altitude, and detected interference. By making the active pair selection adaptive rather than static, the system maintains comprehensive coverage while avoiding harmful solar noise and regulatory violations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor signal quality and regulatory compliance conditions. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts which emitter-receiver pairs are active, disabling pairs that point toward the Sun or Earth when conditions indicate potential harmful effects or compliance issues.
3Reliability
If the system operates at high altitude above threshold level, then the system can provide enhanced performance for certain applications, but regulatory compliance requirements mandate disabling Earth-pointing emitters
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of operational conditions including altitude determination before activating emitter-receiver pairs. By pre-evaluating whether the aircraft is above the regulatory threshold altitude and proactively configuring emitters accordingly, the system ensures regulatory compliance while maintaining data collection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the optical system based on altitude conditions. When operating above the threshold altitude, the system modifies emitter pointing constraints and pair selection criteria to comply with regulations while maintaining sufficient data quality for reliable air data parameter determination.
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
This approach enhances the performance and safety of optical air data systems by improving data accuracy and compliance with governmental regulations, preventing harm to other vehicles and pilots.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of each transmitted optical beam, is reflected and/or scattered back to the OADS
Implementation Method 2
A portion of each transmitted optical beam, is reflected and/or scattered back to the OADS
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
To improve OADS safety and/or performance of an optical air data system (OADS), only when a vehicle including the OADS is above an altitude threshold level may an optical emitter, of a pair of an optical receiver and the optical emitter (or "a pair"), whose transmitting line of sight (LOS) projects towards the Earth, be permitted to emit a transmitted optical beam. Otherwise, laser optical energy can cause eye damage. OADS performance may be improved because reflections from the Earth do not characterize atmosphere around a vehicle, and thus may generate an error in OADS air data parameter calculations. Further to improve OADS performance, only a subset of pair(s), of an optical emitter and an optical receiver, are selected that are necessary to determine desired optical air data parameter(s) and whose optical receiver(s) have the largest signal-to-noise ratio(s) (SNR(s)) of all of the SNR(s) of optical receiver(s).