SBIR-STTR Award

MCE will investigate the possibility of using multiple collectors and detectors to develop a DIMM that is both portable and capable of obtaining atmospheric turbulence data from stellar sources and laser sources during nighttime and daytime hours. The proposers have many years experience in developing instruments for atmospheric turbulence measurements and in using such instruments to conduct research on horizontal/slant paths and on vertical paths through the atmosphere. MCE will produce a conceptual design and a prototype DIMM and will perform a detailed analysis to predict the performance characteristics of the device. MCE will conduct at least 2 field test with the prototype DIMM and will compare the experimental results with the predicted performance. During the final stages of Phase I, MCE will conduct a technical review to determine changes desirable for the Phase II DIMM. A primary objective of the hardware and software is to incorporate commercial off-the-shelf products wherever possible - consistent with the requirements for the performance desired.

MCE proposes to design, integrate, test, and deliver an enhanced Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM). This instrument is designed to measure multiple atmospheric turbulence parameters including the transverse coherence length, power spectral density, scintillation index, Greenwood frequency, and Zernike wavefront aberration coefficients in situ via wavefront analysis and fast frame rate optical imaging techniques. Combining advanced wavefront analysis with traditional image centroid and intensity measurements, the enhanced DIMM provides a direct mean of investigating the path-integrated effects of strong turbulence. The DIMM system consists of optical receivers, a precision computer controlled tracking mount, high frame rate CCD cameras, micro-lenslet array wavefront analyzers, a customized host computer, and self-contained data reduction and interface software. Most system components are Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items that are modular in nature, facilitating reconfiguration to accommodate daytime, nighttime, and horizontal operation using stellar and terrestrial sources. The system is compact, lightweight, and simple to set up and operate.

Keywords:
ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCEWAVEFRONT ANALYSIS TRANSVERSE COHERENCE LENGTH, R0 GREENWOOD FREQUENCY POWER