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: A method for fabricating microtargets for sensor calibration and testing is provided. The method includes: determining size, shape, curvature and locations for the microtargets; forming a layer of photoresist on a surface of a wafer; forming a mask having a plurality of openings with size, shape, and locations corresponding to the microtargets; heating the wafer and the layer of photoresist; exposing the layer of photoresist through the mask; removing photoresist in the layer of photoresist that was exposed outside the locations of the microtargets; and heating the wafer with a temperature and duration to solidify the microtargets.

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: A system comprises a particle sensor for a vehicle comprising a light source that directs a beam to an interrogation region outside the vehicle; and an optical detector that receives scattered or reflected light from an aerosol particle in the interrogation region.

Abstract: A system comprises a particle sensor for a vehicle comprising a light source that directs a beam to an interrogation region outside the vehicle; and an optical detector that receives scattered or reflected light from an aerosol particle in the interrogation region.

Abstract: A system for calibration and testing an optical particulate sensor is provided. The system includes a carrier having at least one microtarget that is configured to emulate a particle; a frame, configured to receive the carrier, the frame further configured to position the at least one microtarget to pass through a measurement volume of the optical particulate sensor; a drive, coupled to the frame, that is configured to move the frame such that the at least one microtarget on the carrier moves through three dimensions of the measurement volume, such that a light beam from the optical particulate sensor is reflected/scattered toward the optical particulate sensor; and at least one processor configured to determine one or more characteristics of the at least one microtarget on the carrier based on the reflected/scattered light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a nested slit design for a single receiving optical channel particulate sensor are described herein. An apparatus can function as an optical slit that receives optical signals from detection volumes and have an angle with respect to a receiving optics axis, wherein the angle is associated with the angle between an optical signal beam axis and the receiving optics axis. The apparatus includes an inner optical slit region having a first width and height associated with a first optical signal, an outer optical slit region having a second width and height associated with a second optical signal, and a blocking slit region configured to block the first and second optical signals. Further, the inner optical slit region is associated with a first and second optical signal wavelength, and the outer optical slit region is associated with the second optical signal wavelength.

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.