Portable daytime differential image motion sensor for atmospheric turbulence characterization

M. Belen'kii; T. Brinkley; D. Bruns; L. DiRuscio; H. Runyeon; V. Rye; L. Angell; D. Haddock; S. Hammel; M. Lasher

doi:10.1117/12.860925

24 August 2010 Portable daytime differential image motion sensor for atmospheric turbulence characterization

M. Belen'kii, T. Brinkley, D. Bruns, L. DiRuscio, H. Runyeon, V. Rye, L. Angell, D. Haddock, S. Hammel, M. Lasher

Proceedings Volume 7814, Free-Space Laser Communications X; 78140J (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860925
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A portable differential image motion sensor (DIMS) has been developed and field demonstrated to measure the atmospheric coherence diameter, or Fried parameter, r₀, both at daytime and at night. The hardware design was developed using system requirements and performance analysis. A graphical user interface (GUI) and software were developed to automatically measure r₀ from collected imagery data. The DIMS system uses a short wave infrared (SWIR) camera, IR telescope with custom environmental enclosure, a rack-mount computer accessed remotely through a laptop, and an equatorial mount and tripod for accurate pointing at a selected star. The system is two-man portable. The sensor continuously measures r₀ from star imagery during clear weather at any time of day or night, with an update rate of 10 minutes. A continuously nutating optical wedge moves the star image in a circle allowing automatic background subtraction. Data output is provided at the SWIR 1.6 μm wavelength and scaled to 0.55 μm and pointing at zenith. Valid r0 measurements range is from 1 cm to 20 cm (in the visible waveband). The r₀ measurements over time were performed at daytime at sea level in San Diego. The largest values of r₀ were observed near and after the sunset. This approach provides a straight-forward path to sea-based seeing measurements with an addition of a stabilized platform.

Citation Download Citation

M. Belen'kii, T. Brinkley, D. Bruns, L. DiRuscio, H. Runyeon, V. Rye, L. Angell, D. Haddock, S. Hammel, and M. Lasher "Portable daytime differential image motion sensor for atmospheric turbulence characterization", Proc. SPIE 7814, Free-Space Laser Communications X, 78140J (24 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860925

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
15 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Stars

Signal to noise ratio

Cameras

Image sensors

Sensors

Short wave infrared radiation

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years