HR: 10:22h
AN: A52C-01 INVITED    [Abstracts]
TI: Miniaturized aerosol, cloud and radiometric payloads for small unmanned aerial vehicles
AU: * Roberts, G
EM: greg@fiji.ucsd.edu
AF: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr. #0239, La Jolla, CA 92126, United States
AU: Corrigan, C
EM: ccorrigan@ucsd.edu
AF: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr. #0239, La Jolla, CA 92126, United States
AU: Ramana, M
EM: ramana@fiji.ucsd.edu
AF: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr. #0239, La Jolla, CA 92126, United States
AU: Ramanathan, V
EM: vram@fiji.ucsd.edu
AF: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr. #0239, La Jolla, CA 92126, United States
AB: Miniaturized aerosol, cloud and radiometric payloads were developed to advance atmospheric observations using small autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs). The observing system consisted of three vertically- stacked AUAVs to allow simultaneous sampling of the earth's atmosphere – offering new insights to radiation budgets and aerosol-cloud interactions. To accomplish this campaign, aerosol, cloud, radiometric instruments, and an integrated data acquisition system have been miniaturized with a total payload weight less than 4 kg and power less than 30 W. Due to size and weight limitations of the lightweight AUAV platform, the payloads are mission-specific and outfitted to perform a defined set of measurements depending on the scientific goals. These measurements include aerosol concentration, aerosol size distribution, aerosol absorption, cloud drop concentration and size distribution, solar radiation fluxes (visible and broadband), temperature, pressure, and relative humidity. The data integrity has been validated using standard calibration routines in conjunction with ground-based and laboratory instruments, as well as inter-aircraft comparisons. The instrument suite includes commercially-available instruments that have been repackaged or redesigned to minimize weight and volume and improve their performance. Several instruments have been completely redesigned including an aerosol inlet, absorption photometer based on an aethelometer and cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) counter. Re-engineering of the absorption photometer's optics and electronics improved its performance at three wavelengths. The CCN instrument has been reduced to less than 2kg (compared to 28 kg) without compromising performance utilizing theory and model simulations to optimize design and define operating limits. A shrouded aerosol inlet was specifically designed for the AUAVs to minimize sample biases in aerosol number and size distributions. The radiometric sensors perform well during straight and level portions of the flight as the autopilot maintains a level platform (pitch and roll) to within a degree. An integrated data acquisition system connects to the instruments via a common interface that supplies power and distributes the data signals to the onboard computer. Several integrated circuits are embedded into the interface to increase its functionality as the central data system, including a GPS for time stamping and spatial coordination. The importance of miniaturization, in light of current research needs, will also be discussed.
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
DE: 0321 Cloud/radiation interaction
DE: 0325 Evolution of the atmosphere (1610, 8125)
DE: 0394 Instruments and techniques
DE: 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting