Abstract:
A cloud phase detection system can include a light receiver system (101) configured to receive reflected light from a cloud, and a cloud phase module (103) operatively connected to the light receiver system and configured to calculate a fourth Stokes parameter and a multiple scattering ratio (MSR) parameter based on the reflected light. The cloud phase module can be configured to determine a phase of a cloud based on a relationship between the fourth Stokes parameter and the MSR parameter.
Abstract:
A method of detecting optical subsystem failures includes emitting a pulsed light beam (120) from a laser (102) through a window (122). A reflection signal (150a, 150b, 150c) indicative of a portion of the beam reflected by the window is compared to an expected signal to monitor for degradation of an optical component (104, 106, 110, 112, 114, 122).