Atmospheric Characterization Devices

For information and support on the DELTA sensor, contact: DELTA@mza.com

For information and support on the PROPS, contact: PROPS@mza.com

MZA manufactures atmospheric characterization devices that can be used to establish requirements for ISR and beam control system performance. The techniques utilized have been proven in multiple experiments. Below is information regarding the atmospheric characterization devices offered by MZA and technical information regarding their design and application. Contact MZA for pricing and delivery schedule.

The various types of turbulence measurement equipment for field experiments are shown below. The selection of the appropriate device depends on the detail required for the tests and the types of restrictions for laser safety on the ranges. However, all of these systems produce data products that can be used in propagation modeling and analysis. Each of these systems provide Cn2 along the path, and report standard propagation parameters such as r0, Rytov number, isoplanatic angle, and the Greenwood and Tyler frequencies. Data is formatted for use with ATMTools propagation analysis and WaveTrain wave-optics simulation. These systems are listed here in terms of capability (correlated with cost) from lowest to highest:

Single-Ended Atmospheric Path Characterization Devices
  • DELTA Imaging Path Turbulence Monitor, PM-02-600 (specifications): System suitable for ranges less than 2 km which images diagnostic target boards. This system provides basic strength of turbulence (Cn2) and bounds on variation of Cn2 over the path with reduced sensitivity near the target end of the path. Transverse wind speeds are also reported.
  • PROPS Turbulence Diagnostic Terminal, PD-05-600 (specifications): Single-ended wavefront-sensing turbulence diagnostic with LED sources for ranges up to 10 km. Provides enhanced resolution in Cn2 near receiver, bounds on Cn2 variation over path, and turbulence spectrum properties. Transverse wind speeds are also reported.
PROPS Dual-Ended Path-Resolved Atmospheric Profiler Devices
  • Path-Resolved Optical Profiler System PR-05-600 (specifications): Dual-ended wavefront-sensing turbulence profiler with LED sources for ranges up to 10 km. Provides Cn2 profiling over the full path, wind speed, and turbulence spectrum properties. Hardware can be used together for profiling, or divided for 2 fully-functional PD-05-600 systems.
  • Enhanced-Range PROPS, PR-10-1000 (specifications): Dual-ended laser turbulence profiler with laser (~1 um) sources for ranges 10-20 km. Provides Cn2 profiling over the full path and wind speed.
  • Extended-Range PROPS, PR-50-1500 (specifications): Dual-ended laser turbulence profiler with “eye-safe” (~1.5 um) laser sources for ranges 20-50 km. Provides Cn2 profiling over the full path and wind speed.
General Information about Atmospheric Characterization Devices