Attention:
The operation of AMALi requires experienced personnel on board the aircraft.
AMALi is a CLASS IV Laser Product. Exposure to the laser radiation is very dangerous and cause severe damage to eyes and skin. This even applies to diffuse radiation.
CONTACT WITH THE LASER BEAM MUST BE AVOIDED AT ALL TIMES!
Summary
The Airborne Mobile Aerosol Lidar (AMALi) provides profiles of the total backscatter at two wavelengths, from which aerosol and cloud properties are derived. It measures also the linear depolarization of the backscattered return, allowing for the discrimination of thermodynamic cloud phase and the identification of the presence of non-spherical aerosol particles. A single laptop computer fully controls the laser, transient recorders, detectors, and data acquisition, including storage, processing, quick-look evaluation and display programs utilizing LabVIEW software.
Sensor-Info: aircraft:bt-67:amali_01, 6789
| Manufacturer | AWI Potsdam |
|---|---|
| Model | |
| Serial No. | AMALi_01 |
| Type | Light Detection And Ranging |
Contacts
| Name | Institution | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Roland Neuber | Alfred-Wegener-Institute | Device Contact |
Components
The AMALi system comprises the optical unit with a Nd:YAG Laser configured by the company Big Sky Laser, Montana, USA. Additionally, the operation of AMALi requires the installation of a laser control unit, a data aquisition unit and a power distribution. The device is handled with an operator PC. Quartz glass windows are installed in the cabin roof or in the underfloor compartment depending on installation direction.
Specifications of AMALi (without mounting)
Dimension Optical Unit (L x W x H) |
600 x 350 x 800 mm |
|---|---|
Weight Optical Unit |
40 kg |
Dimension Data Aquisition (L x W x H) |
483 x 340 x 256 |
Weight Data Aquisition |
12.5 kg |
Dimension Power Distribution (L x W x H) |
483 x 300 x 44 mm |
Weight Power Distribution |
3.0 kg |
Dimension Laser Controller (L x W x H) |
482 x 461 x 134 mm |
Weight Laser Controller |
16.5 kg |
Power Supply |
28 VDC and 230 VDC |
Data Interface |
Ethernet |
Position
| Origin Description: | The AMALi can be installed upward or downward looking. Quartz glass windows are installed on the cabin roof and on an underfloor opening. The measuring unit is fastened to the cabin floor. Electronics are installed in a rack. |
Data logging, storage and archiving
Logged parameter
| Parameter | Sensor Output Type | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| aerosol attenuated backscatter at 532 nm | backscatter strength | none |
| aerosol attenuated backscatter at 355 nm | backscatter strength | none |
| depolarisation ratio at 532 nm | backscatter strength | none |