A Standard Lidar Interface for Wind and Aerosol Profiling from Commercial

Lidar systems offer considerable promise for the acquisition of a variety of atmospheric variables with very high spatial and temporal resolution from airborne platforms. Ground-based lidar systems have been demonstrated that measure aerosols, water vapor, and ozone, and airborne windsensing lidar have been flown on several military aircraft. The growing number of commercial airliners, however, offer the most cost-effective method of widespread data collection using eyesafe lidar systems. In order to make these airborne lidar systems a viable method of data collection on commercial airliners, a standard interface must be developed that meets all of the structural, power, thermal, communications, and FAA requirements AND allow for the easy installation, servicing, and upgrade of the lidar system by trained airline personnel. CTI and our subcontractor United Parcel Service propose to develop a Standard Lidar Interface that permits minimal modification of the aircraft and offers no impact to flight operations. The development of this interface facilitates the application of lidar technologies to commercial aircraft and promotes the adoption of a technology with the ability to support airline passenger and crew safety, aircraft operational efficiency, and the collection of atmospheric variables for scientific study.