Fence Line Crosswinds

The Long-baseline Optical Anemometer (LOA™) measures path averaged crosswind and turbulence over distances of 100 meters to over 10 km. Based on optical scintillation technology, its optics 'see' the always present temperature and density variation in small parcels of air as they move through the infrared beam.

OSI's patented LOA sensors are based on advanced technology tested and approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Technology Laboratories (ETL) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

LOA's unique complete-path measurement and long-range power make it an ideal system for monitoring air movement in large-scale outdoor applications such as fenceline monitoring.

LOA-005 Fenceline Monitoring. Picture shows an example of how LOA-005 may be used in fenceline monitoring of a refinery area. In this case the refineries are located immediately adjacent to populated areas on the northwest, north, and east; and a wildlife protection area to the west. For the basis of example, seven LOA systems would be installed to monitor air movement along every inch of the line separating the refinery areas from the homes, businesses and ecologically vulnerable areas nearby. Note that the longest leg of the boundary (3 mi.) is about half of the LOA's effective range

In the event of a release of hazardous, toxic, or lethal gas or material whether by accident, or by malicious intent, accurate measurement and modeling of air movement patterns can be invaluable to plant personnel, first responders, local officials - and all the people in the surrounding area - enabling them to quickly determine the extent of the hazard and to take the most effective action to prevent harm or loss of life.

LOA presents an unequalled answer to precision tracking of hazardous emissions large or small, enabling plant operators to exactly monitor and record air movement moment-by-moment over the entire refinery area.

LOA design, based on decades of field experience in harsh environments, results in a rugged and extremely reliable sensor, immune from the typical error sources. AGC circuitry eliminates the effects of LED output power drop, contaminated optics, or dusty air. Internal diagnostics monitor the system 24/7/365. Preventative maintenance (suggested every 6 months) is as simple as cleaning the windows and checking the aim. With DSP based design, no field calibration is needed. Ever.

Accurate wake turbulence measurements are critical for improved terminal area safety and efficiency.  OSI has made detailed theoretical and empirical studies using LOA-005 to measure atmosphere induced optical scintillation to measure the atmospheric turbulence, crosswind, and wake vortex in an airport environment.

The LOA-005 can help airports understand the near ground vertical profiles of the atmospheric turbulence and wind, which are critical for the forecasting of the decaying of wake vortexes.

A successful development of the  LOA technology could definitely lead to the large-scale deployment of wake turbulence systems at airports around the globe.

With real-time measurements of runway crosswind, turbulence, downdraft, and wake turbulence, airport safety and throughput can be greatly increased.  

To measure the vertical turbulence profiles in an airport, OSI proposes a geometric configuration using several sets of the optical scintillometers (LOA) illuminating to several retro-reflectors mounted at different heights on a tower to obtain the near ground vertical turbulence and crosswind profiles up to the top of the tower. The major advantage of using a retro-reflector as a target mirror is that the reflected light beam is always bouncing back to the same direction as the incoming light beam irrelevant to the pointing direction of the mirror. The height of a typical large airport control tower is on the order of 100 meters. Therefore, the proposed scintillometer LOA profile system is able to measure the vertical turbulence and crosswind profile up to 100 meters.

OSI is looking for a partnership to further develop LOA technology. The results of the NASA studies show the proposed LOA system could establish the groundwork for the development of a new technology to improve airport efficiency and safety. If interested in learning more about LOA technology please contact OSI to discuss your applications. 

Wake Vortex and Cross Winds

Accurate wake turbulence measurements are critical for improved flight line area safety and improved airport efficiency.

OSI has made detailed theoretical and empirical studies using our Long-baseline Optical Anemometer (LOA-005) to measure atmosphere-induced optical scintillations. The LOA can be utilized to measure the atmospheric turbulence, crosswinds, and wake vortex real-time in an airport environment.

The LOA can help airports understand the near ground vertical profiles of the atmospheric turbulence and wind, which are critical for the forecasting of the decaying of wake vortex.

To measure the vertical turbulence profiles in an airport, OSI has demonstrated a geometric configuration using several sets of single-ended optical scintillometers (LOA) pointed to several retroreflectors mounted at different heights on a tower to obtain the near ground vertical turbulence and crosswind profiles up to the top of the tower.

A successful implementation and demonstration of LOA technology could definitely lead to the large-scale deployment of wake turbulence systems at airports around the globe. With real-time measurements of runway crosswind, turbulence, downdraft, and wake vortices, airport safety and throughput can be greatly increased as smaller planes would no longer have to always wait the maximum amount of predicted time following takeoff of a larger plane for a wake vortex to dissipate.

OSI is looking for a partnership to further develop LOA technology. The results of the NASA studies show the proposed LOA system could establish the groundwork for the development of a new technology to improve airport efficiency and safety. If interested in learning more about LOA technology, please contact OSI to discuss your applications.