Raymetrics - Model LR111-D300 - Raman Depolarization Lidar for Meteorological Applications
The LR111-D300 model aerosol LIDAR is an active laser remote sensing instrument, designed to provide a wealth of information about the atmosphere, including unambiguous detection of volcanic ash. It can also provide detailed information on the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), including information for air quality and forecasting model validation. With a minor upgrade, the system can provide remote humidity profiling (dusk-dawn only). ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Raymetrics has been building Raman depolarization ...
Raymetrics has been building Raman depolarization LIDARs since 2004. However the final specifications of the LR111-D300 model LIDAR were determined according to Met Office (UK) and EARLINET (European LIDAR Network) requirements.
A large telescope and powerful laser make the LR111-D300 probably the most powerful eye-safe aerosol LIDAR available commercially.
Introduction
The LR111-D300 model LIDAR is an active laser remote sensing instrument designed to provide a wealth of information about the atmosphere, including aerosol loading, PBL mixing height, definitive identification of volcanic ash and ash layer heights. The system can also be upgraded to detect water vapour, allowing for remote humidity profiling (night only). Designed for meteorological and aviation applications, the specifications have been determined according to Met Office (UK) and EARLINET (European LIDAR Network) requirements, making the LR111-D300 probably the most powerful eye-safe Aerosol LIDAR available commercially.
Applications
- PBL structure/mixing height
- Weather model forecast validation
- Air quality/pollution model remote data
- Volcanic ash/smoke/dust identification
- Volcanic ash layer altitudes
- Humidity profiling (upgrade - night only)
- Cloud/precipitation measurement
- Aerosol loading/layering
- Optical depth (vertical visibility)
Key Features
- Laser emitting ~50 mJ per pulse at 355 nm (high energy)
- Large 300 mm telescope designed specifically for LIDARs
- Range at 355 nm > 14 km at night, > 12 km during day*
- Range at 355 nm cross-polar > 12 km at night, > 11 km during day*
- Range at 387 nm (Raman) > 12 km at night, > 3 km during day*
- Remotely controllable - up to 3 - 4 months unattended
- Robust, weatherproof, double-walled enclosure with climate control
- Rain sensor with automatically closing hatch to protect windows
- UPS with safe shutdown and automatic restart after power outage
- Blowers for windows, temp. and humidity sensors, external camera
- Complete software suite including real-time display
- Compliant with all EARLINET (European LIDAR Network) requirements
- Eye-safe according to EU standard on laser safety 60825-1: 2007
* with excellent Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) >10
How do LIDARs Work?
The LIDAR emits an eye-safe laser beam into the atmosphere. The light is scattered by particles and some is “backscattered” to a telescope. From the time the light takes to return, the distance to aerosol layers can be determined.
Particle distinction can be achieved by plotting the depolarization ratio against the Raman-derived LIDAR ratio (see graph below).
Why a LIDAR?
The Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) is important for everything from climate to air quality studies. LIDARs with high spatial and temporal resolution can monitor the PBL using aerosols as tracers. The distribution of aerosols inside the PBL plays a crucial role in accurate modeling of air quality and estimation of the Air Quality Index. LIDARs may also improve forecasting of the PBL mixing height and air pollutant dispersion.
LIDARs can be used to validate numerical weather forecast models - a new field in LIDAR - such as COSMO (COnsortium for Small-scale MOdelling) or the Weather Research Forecasting model (WRF). LIDARs are also able to discriminate particle types including volcanic ash, dust, anthropogenic pollution, fire smoke and marine particles, as well as providing altitudes of the layers.
Through the use of ceilometers, the LIDAR technique has become a standard throughout the meteorology and aviation sectors. Now however there is a need for higher quality data, increased capabilities and greater range, which only LIDARs can provide.
Why Raymetrics?
- EXPERIENCE: Raymetrics is probably the most experienced atmospheric LIDAR company in the world, with Raman Depolarization LIDARs on sale since 2004 and backscatter LIDARs since 2002.
- GLOBAL BRAND: We have sold instruments all over the world, including in Europe, North America, China, India, Africa, South East Asia, and South America.
- REASSURANCE: Our client list includes such prestigious organizations as the German Weather Service (DWD), European Space Agency,
- National Environment Agency (Singapore), German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Dirección Meteorológica de Chile and many more including networks of LIDARs in Italy (ISAC), South Korea (CATER - KMA) and the United Kingdom (Met Office).
- COMPLETE SOLUTION: All required hardware and software is provided to run the LIDAR, including the capability to network systems for remote operation and automated measuring.
- POWER: Raymetrics uses lasers with higher energies per pulse than most other manufacturers.
- Note: LIDARs work by plotting every individual pulse - meaning energy per pulse is of the highest importance.
- Data quality can be improved by stacking multiple profiles together, but this does not greatly improve range.
- Raymetrics offers some of the highest energy-per-pulse eye-safe lasers on the market.
- SIZE: Raymetrics also uses telescopes which are larger than most other manufacturers’ in order to capture more signal.
- Note: Raymetrics telescopes are custom-designed with the focal point inside the telescope, allowing obscuration from the secondary mirror to be greatly reduced, resulting in up to 40% more signal compared with off-the-shelf telescopes.
- STANDARDS: Raymetrics LIDARs comply with EARLINET requirements - international authority on LIDAR.
Specifications
EMITTER
- Laser energy: 50mJ per pulse at 355 nm
- Repetition race: 20 Hz
- Beam Expansion: X5
- Eye-safe: YES (EU standard on laser safety EN 60825-1:2007)
- Laser Class: IV
RECEIVER
- Size [primary mirror): 300 mm
- Retl of view (FCV): O25 - 3 mrad [user adjustable)
- Overlap: < 250 m (with factory set FOV)
DETECTION UNTT
- Wavelengths detected:
- 355 nm co-polar
- 355 nm cross-polar
- 387 nm nitrogen Raman
- 408 nm water vapour Raman (upgrade - night only)
- Spatial resolution: 7.5 m
- Temporal resolution:
- 1 sec singje shot
- 10 secs multiple acquisition mode (user selectable upwards)
- FWHM bandwidth: Approx. 0.5 nm per wavelength
- Detection modes: Analogue and photon counting for near and far field measurement
GENERAL
- internal PC: Industrial grade PC running Windows
- Software: Full suite of software supplied
- Automation: Remotely operable with measurement scheduling for automation
- Enclosure: Double-walled aluminium alloy for better heat regulation and for weatherproof ing
- Warranty: 1 year as standard
- Training: 3 day installation and training course on-site as standard
- Extras:
- Rain sensor +■automatically closing hatch
- UPS + automatic re-start after power loss
- Upgrades:
- 200 mm or 400 mm telescope options
- 30 mj or 90 mj laser energy options (90 not eye-safe)
- Options for additional wavelengths including water vapour
ADDITIONAL
- Effective Range:
- > 14 km (night). > 12 km (day) at 355 nm co-polar
- > 12 km (night). > 11 km (day) at 355 nm cross-polar
- > 12 km (night). > 3 km (day) at 387 nm nitrogen Raman
- Values measured with Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) > 10*
- Environmental tolerance: -20 to +45°C
- Dimensions: 1.6 m x 12 m x Q8 m (HxWxD)
- Weight: Approx. 250 kg
- Power:
- 110 - 240 V 50 - 60 Hz (standard domestic power supply).
- Consumption Q2 / Q8 / 2.5 kvV Ode / measuring / measuring + climate control). Peak current 25 Amps.
*Effective renges depend on atmospheric conditions and integration times. Values provided were observed in factory in general conditions with Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) >10.
Software
Description
- Raymetrics’ software team is developing firmware and software adding functionality to existing products in order to provide innovative solutions to its customers
- The new LiDAR firmware support efficient and remote control of LiDAR systems allowing it to be operated even in remote environments acting as early-warning systems for natural hazards like volcanic eruptions, wildfires and dust storms
- Α new, subscription based platform allows easy visualization and processing of data gathered by LiDAR systems, targeting both existing and new customers
- New processing capabilities will be available to subscribed customers Raymetrics is developing a unique cloud-based platform that integrates LiDAR data with other sensors and information sources to address specific clients needs
- An example of this platform is the new desert dust monitoring and forecasting solution, integrating state-of-the-art lidar processing algorithms and dust forecasting to a single web- based platform.
Software
- The new firmware optimizes system performance, eases maintenance of existing systems while speeding
- up the development cycle of new products
- The firmware is optimized for low connectivity installations, allowing the installation of system in remote
- areas such as early warning systems
- The new instruments are able to integrate with other internet-enabled devices, forming smart sensor
- networks and solving complicated client needs
- A subscription-based platform will allow customers to monitor the systems’ operational status, easing
- day-to-day operation and reducing unexpected failures
- At the same time, it will allow Raymetrics to promote pro-active maintenance contracts and suggest
- system upgrades based on the actual needs of each system ensuring a constant stream of recurring
- revenues
Firmware
- Raymetrics is developing new web-based platform that can handle data from both single lidar systems
- and large network.
- A subscription-based web-based platform for lidar data visualization and processing allow efficient
- management of lidar data, and easy integration to customer workflows.
- Innovative processing algorithms will allow to achieve user requirements with much lower hardware
- costs, significantly increasing the competitiveness of all Raymetrics products.
Software
Software
Raymetrics provides a full suite of custom-designed LIDAR software in a common GUI with every system. No additional software is needed to run the system or perform advanced analysis. Modules are included for:
- System Alignment
- Measurement Scheduling
- Data Acquisition
- Data Storage (Database)
- Data Analysis
- Data Visualization (in 3D if system is 3D scanning)
- System Diagnostics
Automation
Automation
- Raymetrics LIDARs can be fully automated through measurement scheduling software, including 3D scanning systems which can be programmed with multiple scan patterns.
- Data can be displayed in real-time, with 'quick-look plots' exported as jpegs either manually or automatically.
- Raymetrics' software now features auto-picking of atmospheric layers, including the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), clouds and aerosol layers.
- Software can also achieve automatic particle classification in real-time, allowing the user to discriminate between volcanic ash, dust, smoke and marine particles.
Networking
Networking
Raymetrics LIDARs are controlled by internal industrial grade PCs running Windows Operating Systems. As such, our LIDARs can be easily networked in all the myriad ways a PC can be networked. This can include connection via Ethernet to a network, with data sent to a remote server for distribution to web pages, or any other method. Raymetrics LIDARs can even be operated remotely from mobile phones or tablets.
Visualization
Visualization
3D Scanning data can be displayed and viewed in 3D in Raymetrics' native software, or can be easily exported for use in other software (e.g. we can provide a simple 3-click solution for displaying data in Google Earth).
Data format
Data format
Data format is binary for fast processing, with the option to automatically convert to ASCII format for compatibility with other software.
Raymetrics does not currently limit the number of licences for users. Clients can even request access to the source code to develop additonal software modules, or can request Raymetrics to develop new modules.
Applications
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Laser based remote sensing instruments for remote humidity applications - Monitoring and Testing - Meteorological Monitoring
Relative humidity (RH) is a crucial parameter for atmospheric research and Meteorology, as it represents the current state of water vapor and ambient air related to saturation. The interest in the role of RH in the modification of aerosol, precipitation and cloud microphysics, including CCN formation, has recently increased mainly due to the crucial role of aerosol–cloud interactions in climate change. Raymetrics Lidars offer 24/7 monitoring of Atmospheric RH.
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Laser based remote sensing instruments for volcanic ash detection applications - Monitoring and Testing - Meteorological Monitoring
The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption caused massive disruption to air traffic. Many other volcanic events are continuously causing severe disturbance to world air traffic such as cancellation of flights and closing of airspaces and airports, in Latin America, Asia, North America, Australia among others.
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Laser Based Remote Sensing Instruments for Remote Temperature and Humidity Profiling - Monitoring and Testing - Meteorological Monitoring
Accurate profiling of atmospheric temperature and humidity is a prerequisite for many meteorological studies, including nowcasting, model evaluation, and assimilation. Unfortunately, existing instrumentation lacks either the temporal or vertical resolution required for such application. To fill this gap, Raymetrics S.A., a global leader in lidar (lidar detection and ranging) technology, is developing a new state-of-the-art temperature and humidity lidar instrument. Based on the lidar technique the new product can ...
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