Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to protruding a portion of a particle sensor out from the exterior surface of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the protruding component is the collection optics that are used to receive backscattered light from a detection region. The protruding component can protrude out towards the detection region to reduce the sampling distance between the detected particles and the collection optics.

Abstract: Various embodiments describe time-multiplexing of optical channels in an air data sensor. At least one switch outputs a reference optical signal, and each of a plurality of backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path at a time. Alternatively stated, the at least one common optical path is configured to receive the reference optical signal and at least one of the backscattered optical signals in sequence. In doing so, the extent of systematic bias present in the at least one common optical path can be compensated for and even reduced during sensor operation.

Abstract: A system comprises a particulate sensor unit comprising a light source that directs at least two light beams to an interrogation region where portions of the light beams overlap each other. An optical detector captures scattered or reflected light from an aerosol particle in the interrogation region that passes through the light beams. A processor performs a particle sizing method for aerosol particles in the interrogation region that detects an optical response of scattered or reflected light. When the detected optical response has two peaks, the method comprises determining a first optical response value for a particle located in a vicinity of a center of one of the light beams; determining a second optical response value for the particle when located in between the light beams; identifying a ratio between the first optical response value and the second optical response value; and based on the identified ratio, estimating particle size.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to protruding a portion of a particle sensor out from the exterior surface of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the protruding component is the collection optics that are used to receive backscattered light from a detection region. The protruding component can protrude out towards the detection region to reduce the sampling distance between the detected particles and the collection optics.

Abstract: Various embodiments describe time-multiplexing of optical channels in an air data sensor. At least one switch outputs a reference optical signal, and each of a plurality of backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path at a time. Alternatively stated, the at least one common optical path is configured to receive the reference optical signal and at least one of the backscattered optical signals in sequence. In doing so, the extent of systematic bias present in the at least one common optical path can be compensated for and even reduced during sensor operation.