Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed utilizing selected infrared waveband observations to determine selected profiles of interest. A correlative system is constructed and installed at a processor. Thermal and refractivity profiles and structure in a waveband of interest are extracted from observed infrared spectrum single waveband observations received for processing at the processor by the correlative system. The output provides the selected profiles of interest in the waveband of interest. The apparatus includes an infrared receiver and means for measuring angular displacement of received emissions relative to a horizon. The processor converts received emission into equivalent Planck blackbody temperatures across the observations and correlates structure and vertical distribution of the temperatures to provide thermodynamic and refractivity profiles of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for highly accurate remote measurement of sea surface skin temperature. Thermal band 8 to 14 micron images of the surface of the ocean taken by a downward looking infrared camera are processed to determine the optimum segments of the image to utilize. The influence of contaminating reflection of the downwelling flux from the sky and other error sources are removed and from the data and/or otherwise corrected for making sea surface temperature accuracy within several tenths of a degree possible.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for highly accurate remote measurement of sea surface skin temperature. Thermal band 8 to 14 micron images of the surface of the ocean taken by a downward looking infrared camera are processed to determine the optimum segments of the image to utilize. The influence of contaminating reflection of the downwelling flux from the sky and other error sources are removed and from the data and/or otherwise corrected for making sea surface temperature accuracy within several tenths of a degree possible.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed utilizing selected infrared waveband observations to determine selected profiles of interest. A correlative system is constructed and installed at a processor. Thermal and refractivity profiles and structure in a waveband of interest are extracted from observed infrared spectrum single waveband observations received for processing at the processor by the correlative system. The output provides the selected profiles of interest in the waveband of interest. The apparatus includes an infrared receiver and means for measuring angular displacement of received emissions relative to a horizon. The processor converts received emission into equivalent Planck blackbody temperatures across the observations and correlates structure and vertical distribution of the temperatures to provide thermodynamic and refractivity profiles of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed utilizing selected infrared waveband observations to determine selected profiles of interest. A correlative system is constructed and installed at a processor. Thermal profiles and structure in a waveband of interest are extracted from observed infrared spectrum single waveband observations received for processing at the processor by the correlative system. The output provides the selected profiles of interest in the waveband of interest. The apparatus includes an infrared receiver and means for measuring angular displacement of received emissions relative to a horizon. The processor converts received emission into equivalent blackbody temperatures across the observations and correlates structure and vertical distribution of the temperatures to provide thermodynamic and refractivity profiles of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed utilizing selected infrared spectrum spatial observations to determine selected profiles of interest. A correlative system is constructed and installed at a processor. Thermal profiles and structure in the wavebands of interest are extracted from observed infrared spectrum multiband observations received for processing at the processor by the correlative system. The output provides the selected profiles of interest in the wavebands of interest. The apparatus includes an infrared receiver system and means for controlling and measuring angular displacement of received emissions relative to a horizon. The processor converts received emission into equivalent blackbody temperatures across the observations and correlates structure and vertical distribution of the temperatures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for enhancing data accuracy of a noncontact infrared thermometer. One method includes determining dry atmospheric constituency and water vapor absorption coefficients across the infrared thermometers spectral bandpass and implementing the coefficients in processing with site-based atmospheric temperature and water vapor density profile and pressure measurements to provide corrected target temperature data compensating for contamination in said raw data due to said intervening atmosphere. The method is particularly well adapted for use in correcting data from less expensive but also less accurate wideband infrared thermometers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for highly accurate calibration of microwave radiometry devices by defeating reflections from a cryogenic blackbody calibration target and, further, defeating a standing wave established between reflecting features at the device and at the blackbody calibration target. The preferred disclosed system includes adaptations for effective Brewster angle presentation of radiation emanating from the target to the radiometry device. Other embodiments are taught for substantially eliminating or randomizing the standing wave in both wavelength dependent and independent applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for enhancing data accuracy of a noncontact infrared thermometer. One method includes determining dry atmospheric constituency and water vapor absorption coefficients across the infrared thermometers spectral bandpass and implementing the coefficients in processing with site-based atmospheric temperature and water vapor density profile and pressure measurements to provide corrected target temperature data compensating for contamination in said raw data due to said intervening atmosphere. The method is particularly well adapted for use in correcting data from less expensive but also less accurate wideband infrared thermometers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for passive millimeter wave measurements to provide tropospheric profiles of temperature, water vapor, cloud liquid water, pressure, and refractivity utilizing a single band microwave receiver operating in the vicinity of the water vapor emission line centered at 183.31 GHz or other millimeter wave water vapor line. Ancillary meteorological measurements may be provided to refine profile outputs. Retrieval method training adapts and refines system output to provide useful information for weather nowcasting and forecasting, aviation safety, transport of pollutants, prediction of fog and other weather phenomena, and radar and optical ducting prediction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for characterizing atmospheric refractivity and its evolution in time and space utilizing passive radiation emission measurement devices are disclosed. Based on an instrument such as a passive microwave radiometer, ancillary meteorological measurements and other information and observations, the apparatus and methods provide useful signatures for characterizing atmospheric refractivity. The system can observe to any vector in the sky, giving directional as well as zenithal measurements of the refractivity profile, its spatial and temporal gradients, and the spatial and temporal trending of the profile and its gradients.

Abstract: The passive polarimetric microwave radiometer is a simple and low cost radiometric icing detection system that operates over a suitable set of frequency bands in the millimeter wave region of the spectrum to provide useful signatures for detecting aircraft icing conditions. This basic passive polarimetric microwave radiometer observes along a single line of sight and consists of a dual polarization dual frequency radiometer that is pointed in the direction of interest, such as the projected flight path, and operates at a frequency which is sensitive to the polarizing effects of hydrometeors. The passive polarimetric microwave radiometer could also observe in a horizontal plane around the aircraft or ground station and include both vertical and horizontal scanning capability.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forecasting the quality of radio communication links on a short-term basis are disclosed, the apparatus including at least one, and preferably an ensemble of, sensors providing output indicia indicative of evolving atmospheric and/or ionospheric conditions in the vicinity of a monitored communication link. The sensors may include any device that provides data containing predictive information, such as a microwave radiometer for receiving atmospheric emissions that are related to atmospheric scattering and absorption of radio propagation, input for measurement of the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio link carrier, and sensors of surface meteorology including barometric pressure, temperature, and surface winds direction and velocity. Data provided is processed utilizing mathematical inversion (also referred to as function estimation) techniques to provide predictions of changing link quality in the short-term (e.g.

Abstract: An atmospheric water vapor sensing system uses Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to determine the refractivity and Slant-path Water Vapor Delay (SWD) between an Earth-based GPS receiver and a plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system provides improved precision in position calculation measurements by eliminating the refractivity effects of water vapor. No other system inputs are required apart from conventional GPS satellite signals and conventional satellite orbit data to implement the method. SWD arises from the refractivity in the integrated atmospheric water vapor in a column of atmosphere at an acute angular line-of-sight path between the Earth-based GPS receiver and any one of the plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system is especially useful in monitoring the Earth's crustal deformation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for profiling atmospheric temperature, water vapor and/or cloud liquid content utilizing passive microwave remote sensing are disclosed. The apparatus includes an antenna for receiving atmospheric microwave emissions having frequencies of interest, a highly stable, tunable frequency synthesizer, and downconverting system receiving selected frequency outputs from the synthesizer and the received emissions and, responsive thereto, providing output signals indicative of the frequencies of interest and representing the profile.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed that is particularly well suited for use in connection with combustion in a cloud seeding generator. The monitoring system includes an indicator light the energization of which indicates a specific combustion state and normally indicates that combustion has occurred. Energization of the indicator light is controlled by a comparator which has one input connected with a thermocouple positioned in the combustion chamber to monitor the combustion state. The cloud seeding generator is preferably mounted in an aircraft and, when so mounted, the indicator light may be remotely located as, for example, on the aircraft instrument panel to indicate combustion and/or ignition as well as proper operation of the cloud seeding generator.