Abstract: A device for determining the water content in the atmosphere comprising: a laser transmitter suitable for transmitting a laser beam for illuminating particles of water and/or ice present in the atmosphere, a first out-of-focus imager having a first collection angle suitable for capturing at least one first representative image of the particles, and processing unit in communication connection with the first image. The device further comprises a second out-of-focus imager having a second collection angle suitable for capturing at least one second image. The processing unit is in communication connection with the second imager, the processing unit being suitable for processing the first and second images in order to determine the water content in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for determining the water content in the atmosphere by image processing comprises: determining the number of particles contained in a size range; measuring the mass of particles having a size in the size range from the determined number of particles; determining the number of particles having a size equal to a threshold size; evaluating the number of particles outside of the given size range from the determined number of particles and from the threshold size; estimating the mass of particles outside of the size range from the evaluated number of particles; and determining the water content by addition of the estimated mass and the measured mass.

Abstract: A device for determining the water content in the atmosphere comprising: a laser transmitter suitable for transmitting a laser beam for illuminating particles of water and/or ice present in the atmosphere, a first out-of-focus imager having a first collection angle suitable for capturing at least one first representative image of the particles, and processing unit in communication connection with the first image. The device further comprises a second out-of-focus imager having a second collection angle suitable for capturing at least one second image. The processing unit is in communication connection with the second imager, the processing unit being suitable for processing the first and second images in order to determine the water content in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for determining the water content in the atmosphere by image processing comprises: determining the number of particles contained in a size range; measuring the mass of particles having a size in the size range from the determined number of particles; determining the number of particles having a size equal to a threshold size; evaluating the number of particles outside of the given size range from the determined number of particles and from the threshold size; estimating the mass of particles outside of the size range from the evaluated number of particles; and determining the water content by addition of the estimated mass and the measured mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice detection device and method for detecting ice on an aircraft in flight. The device includes a transmitter which emits a first and a second radiation in the direction of a reflective surface, these two radiations respectively being within a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band; and a receiver which captures the reflected radiations. The transmitter and said receiver are fixed on an external surface of the aircraft. Then a computer determines the presence or absence of ice as a function of the intensity of the captured radiations. The reflective surface is located outside the boundary layer of the aircraft during flight and includes a heating/cooling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice detection device and method for detecting ice on an aircraft in flight. The device includes a transmitter which emits a first and a second radiation in the direction of a reflective surface, these two radiations respectively being within a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band; and a receiver which captures the reflected radiations. The transmitter and said receiver are fixed on an external surface of the aircraft. Then a computer determines the presence or absence of ice as a function of the intensity of the captured radiations. The reflective surface is located outside the boundary layer of the aircraft during flight and includes a heating/cooling device.