Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to sampling a large volume of a cloud atmosphere so as to obtain a large signal response from even a sparse distribution of water droplets in the cloud atmosphere. Such a volume can be probed by projecting an uncollimated optical beam into the cloud atmosphere and sampling the signal backscattered from the water droplets located within the probed volume. The uncollimated optical beam can be generated by projecting a diverging pulse of light energy from a polished end of a first optical fiber. A second optical fiber can be used to receive the optical signal backscattered from the cloud atmosphere. The second optical fiber can also have substantially the same field of view as the first optical fiber, so as to receive signals from a volume of the cloud atmosphere that is substantially commensurate with the probed volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining sizes of water particles in a cloud atmosphere based on a detected portion of signals generated from a single monochromatic source and backscattered by water particles in a cloud atmosphere. A backscatter coefficient and an optical extinction coefficient are calculated, based on the detected portion of signals generated from the monochromatic source and backscattered by water particles in the cloud atmosphere. A LIDAR ratio—a ratio of the optical extinction coefficient to the backscatter coefficient, is calculated. Sizes of water particles in the cloud atmosphere are estimated based on the LIDAR ratio. An output signal indicative of the estimated sizes of water particles in the cloud atmosphere is generated. Estimating sizes of water particles using signals from a single monochromatic source advantageously can alert a pilot of an aircraft of cloud conditions, without requiring multi-chromatic sources.

Abstract: A first air data value is generated based on a first set of parameters. A second set of parameters that does not include any of the first set of parameters is processed through an artificial intelligence network to generate a second air data value. The second set of parameters is processed through a plurality of diagnostic artificial intelligence networks to generate a plurality of diagnostic air data values. Each of the plurality of diagnostic artificial intelligence networks excludes a different one of the second set of parameters. One of the second set of parameters is identified, based on the first air data value and the plurality of diagnostic air data values, as a fault source parameter that is associated with a fault condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining metrics of water particles in clouds by directing light pulses at a cloud and measuring a peak, a post-peak value and a high-frequency fluctuation of light signals reflected from the cloud. The light pulses include: a first pulse having circularly polarized light of a first wavelength; and a second pulse of a second wavelength. The reflected light signals include: a first reflected light signal having left-hand circular polarization of the first wavelength; a second reflected light signal having right-hand circular polarization of the first wavelength; and a third reflected light signal of the second wavelength. An extinction coefficient and a backscatter coefficient are determined based on the measured peak and post-peak slopes of the first and second reflected light signals. The measured high-frequency fluctuations of the three reflected light signals can be used to calculate cloud particle sizes.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, over an aircraft data communications bus, a plurality of non-pneumatic inputs corresponding to aircraft operational parameters. The method further includes processing the plurality of non-pneumatic inputs through an artificial intelligence network to generate an air data output value, and outputting the air data output value to a consuming system for use when a pneumatic-based air data output value is determined to be unreliable.

Abstract: A method of optically detecting the presence of a bimodal droplet size distribution in the atmosphere. The method comprising monitoring statistical fluctuations in a backscattered signal received from a series of pulsed laser light beams directed into a cloud and analyzing the statistics of the fluctuations of the backscattered signals to identify the presence of larger diameter droplets.

Abstract: A system for detecting contamination of a window of an optical system includes a polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter waveplate, a photodetector, and a processor. The polarizing beamsplitter is configured to receive a laser beam having a first polarization and reflect the laser beam having the first polarization to the window. The photodetector is configured to sense a magnitude of reflections of the laser beam from the window having a second polarization, wherein the polarizing beamsplitter passes the reflections of the laser beam from the window having the second polarization to the photodetector. The processor is configured to determine a contamination level of the window based upon the magnitude of the reflections of the laser beam from the window.

Abstract: A method of optically detecting the presence of a bimodal droplet size distribution in the atmosphere. The method comprising monitoring statistical fluctuations in a backscattered signal received from a series of pulsed laser light beams directed into a cloud and analyzing the statistics of the fluctuations of the backscattered signals to identify the presence of larger diameter droplets.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a fire in a scene by infrared radiation image processing includes a means for receiving a sequential plurality of infrared radiation images of the scene, a means for generating for each said image an array of picture elements (pixels), a means for determining for each pixel a value that is representative of the pixel's portion of infrared radiation intensity in the array of the scene image, means for determining a threshold value from the values of the pixels of at least one image, means for identifying a region of at least one pixel in one image of the plurality of images of the scene by comparing the values of the pixels of the one image to the determined threshold value, means for tracking said region through images of the plurality subsequent said one image to determine a change of said region that meets predetermined infrared radiation criteria, and means for detecting the fire in the scene based on the determined change of said region.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fire in a scene by infrared (IR) radiation image processing comprises the steps of: receiving a sequential plurality of IR radiation images of the scene, each image including an array of picture elements (pixels), each pixel having a value that is representative of the pixel's portion of IR radiation intensity in the array of the scene image; identifying a region of pixels in one image based on pixel values; tracking the region through images subsequent the one image to determine a change of the region that meets predetermined IR radiation criteria; and detecting the fire in the scene based on the determined change of the region. In one embodiment, the step of tracking includes the steps of: identifying the region in images subsequent the one image; and comparing the identified regions of the one and subsequent images to determine a change of the region that meets the predetermined IR radiation criteria.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fire in a scene by infrared (IR) radiation image processing comprises the steps of: receiving a sequential plurality of IR radiation images of the scene, each image including an array of picture elements (pixels), each pixel having a value that is representative of the pixel's portion of IR radiation intensity in the array of the scene image; identifying a region of pixels in one image based on pixel values; tracking the region through images subsequent the one image to determine a change of the region that meets predetermined IR radiation criteria; and detecting the fire in the scene based on the determined change of the region. In one embodiment, the step of tracking includes the steps of: identifying the region in images subsequent the one image; and comparing the identified regions of the one and subsequent images to determine a change of the region that meets the predetermined IR radiation criteria.