Honeywell International Inc.

Timothy A Peterson

Xiao Zhu Fan

Matthew Wiebold

Lee R Wienkes

Jan Popelka

A system comprises a pressure air data system comprising non-optical air data sensors that interrogate a region of interest outside of a vehicle to determine a first set of air data measurements comprising a first static air pressure. The system also includes an optical air data system comprising optical air data sensors that interrogate the region of interest to determine a second set of air data measurements comprising a second static air pressure. The second static air pressure is determined using conversion coefficients. A processor receives and processes the first static air pressure; receives and processes the second static air pressure; dynamically recalibrates the conversion coefficients by computing a correction factor; sends the correction factor to the optical air data system to update the second static air pressure; and outputs an optimized static air pressure based on the first static air pressure and the updated second static air pressure.

Dynamic recalibration of optical air data system

In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises selecting at least one set of line of sight (LOS) vectors oriented in one or more directions outward from a vehicle; determining at least one air data solution based on the at least one set of LOS vectors; adjusting at least one value of an air vector equation based on a predetermined quantity; upon adjusting the at least one value, then determining at least one modified air data solution, wherein the at least one modified air data solution is determined based on the at least one set of LOS vectors and the at least one value; and comparing a difference between the at least one air data solution and the at least one modified air data solution to a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is indicative of error with respect to the at least one set of LOS vectors.

Vector air data dynamic constraining and self-checking systems and methods

An air data system comprises a light source that emits a pulsed beam, and an optical transceiver coupled to the light source and configured to receive the pulsed beam. The transceiver is operative to transmit the pulsed beam into an interrogation air region; and receive and collect scattered pulses from the interrogation air region. An optical modulation device is coupled to the transceiver, and is configured to receive the collected scattered pulses from the transceiver and output modulated pulses. An optical detector is coupled to the modulation device and receives the modulated pulses from the modulation device. The modulation device has a nanosecond-based rise/fall time that is synchronized and delayed with respect to the pulsed beam. The modulation device provides for stroboscopic detection of a volume of the interrogation air region based on the modulated pulses received by the detector and having an exposure time of multiple pulse periods.

Air data system with optical modulator on receive channels for stroboscopic detection

A system comprises an optical air data system that measures aerosol and molecular scattering of light, and an optical instrument that measures aerosol and/or molecular scattering of light. A processor receives data from the air data system and from the optical instrument. The processor performs one or more signal analysis and data fusion methods comprising: (a) determining aerosol and/or molecular concentration from the received data, modifying a data analysis algorithm to optimize any remaining unknown parameters, and outputting enhanced air data parameters; (b) determining aerosol concentration from the received data, dynamically optimizing hardware settings in the air data system to enhance a signal level and avoid system saturation, and outputting enhanced air data parameters; or (c) determining aerosol and/or molecular concentration from the received data, estimating a confidence level of an air data algorithm, verifying optical health of the air data system, and reporting the optical health to a user.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Timothy A Peterson