The atmosphere can limit the ability to detect or identify objects using visible- infared imaging sensors; when of sufficient serverity, the atmospheric induced degradations may render expensive test data useless. PSR proposes to design, develop, and demonstrate a compact, affordable, and easy to use set of sensors for monitoring the visibility of distant objects by multispectral imaging sensors; a base set of the RAVM sensor suite, using only single-ended instruments, will provide real-time monitoring of the effects of atmospheric molecules, aerosols, and turbulence along the imager-object line-of-sight on image quality, and remote sensors will provide advanced prediction of the image degradation. The PSR designed RAVM sensor will predict the ranges at which given objects can be detected or identified, as well as the resolution for a given range.
Benefits: The PSR-designed RAVM capability will be an important adjunct to existing weather sensors. It can be determined when airports, roads, or other facilities cannot support minimum levels of safety, and can be identified better areas for supporting operations over long atmospheric paths. Potential users include airport traffic control, and providers of meteorological services
