SpectraSensors Proprietary Information [ 1 ]

Water Vapor Sensing SystemWater Vapor Sensing System

(WVSS-II)(WVSS-II)Water Vapor Sensing SystemWater Vapor Sensing System

(WVSS-II)(WVSS-II)

Bryce FordNov 9, 2011

Tunable Diode Laser Technology supporting AMDAR Water Vapor Observation Applications

Brief History of Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) SpectroscopyBrief History of Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) Spectroscopy

TDL was developed and refined by NASA at Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Lab over a 20 year period

Original systems developed and flown on aircraft and weather balloons for Atmospheric Research

The technology achieved space flight qualification and was launched on the 1999 Mars Polar Lander Spacecraft

Today TDL technology is considered mature and reliable and is in use for many applications

Basic TDL Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) concept:

Gas Sample

MirrorLaser

Detector

Window

Optical Sample Cell

Concentration = (How much light is absorbed (energy) thru the sample cell)

(Absorption Coefficient for a species) x (its path length)

WVSS-II Developed to Support AMDARWVSS-II Developed to Support AMDAR

Water Vapor Sensing System, WVSS-II, uses TDLAS to continuously measure atmospheric Water Vapor concentrations during flight

WVSS-II was specifically developed to support the needs for an AMDAR Water Vapor sensor, with the high reliability and low maintenance requirement for use in commercial aviation

It has undergone significant Engineering testing and Scientific evaluation over the last 7 years to arrive at the current configuration

Unique SpectraSensors design features provide very stable operation over long periods of time with no regular maintenance

The SpectraSensors technology is not effected by contaminants that impact many other TDL implementations

WVSS-II Primary ComponentsWVSS-II Primary Components

The Primary Components of WVSS-II– System Electronics Box (SEB– Air Sampler (UCAR Patented)– Inlet and Outlet hoses– Power and Data Communications

System Electronics Box (SEB)

Standard Aircraft Power/Data Connector

Air Sampler

Hoses

DB-26 for RS-232 Data Output in Research and

Test Configurations

Typical Installation – Internal ViewTypical Installation – Internal View

Typical Interior Installation Configuration for WVSS-II

SEB

FWD

Inlet Hose, Heated

Outlet Hose, Non-Heated

Aircraft Skin

Air Sampler

Inside view of Air Sampler

SEB

Hoses

Typical Installation – External ViewTypical Installation – External View

External View of Air Sampler Installation

Expanded View of the Air Sampler

Air Sampler Installation on a 737-300

Interior of WVSS–II SEBInterior of WVSS–II SEB

Interior view of the WVSS-II SEB

Spectrometer Optical Cell

Main Processor Board

Note: There are no user maintainable items inside the SEB

Optics Of The WVSS AnalyzerOptics Of The WVSS Analyzer

Spectrometer Optical Cell Inside the SEB

Optical Cell

LaserMirror

Laser BeamDetector

Hose Connections

WVSS-II Air FlowWVSS-II Air Flow

Diagram of Air Flow through the WVSS-II

Sample Cell Inside SEB

Aircraft Operation and Maintenance of WVSS-IIAircraft Operation and Maintenance of WVSS-II

Operation of the WVSS-II is 100% Automatic– No adjustments or settings necessary by airline partners– Data is transmitted from the SEB to the ACMU continuously

when system is in operation– Transmission of data via ACARS is independent of WVSS-II

operation

No Routine Maintenance Necessary– No consumable components to be exchanged– Sensor maintains calibration for at least 2 years

Air Flow Through the System is Critical– Any obstructions to air flow can be cleared with simple

procedures– For aircraft that are on the ground for long periods, it is best to

cover the inlet/outlet to avoid nesting by bugs

Long Term Maintenance at Regular Aircraft Heavy Check– Suggested functional/calibration check of SEB every 2 or 3

years at SSI

WVSS-II Performance CharacteristicsWVSS-II Performance Characteristics

WVSS-II Performance Characteristics

Methodology Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

Response time/data output

Internal Sample Rate: 4 Times/secReal-time Output Rate: Every 2 sec

-Water Vapor Concentration-Internal Pressure-Internal Temperature-Engineering data-System Status Data

Downlink rate determined by ACARS (ARINC 429)

Range of coverage Surface to approx 45,000 ft (13.7 km)

Minimum detectable signal < 50 ppmv (0.0311 g/kg)[1]

Maximum detectable signal 60,000 ppmv (37.32 g/kg)[2]

Accuracy (% of signal)±50 ppmv or ±5% of reading,

whichever is greater

Minimum absorbance (Output resolution)

1 x 10-3 g/Kg (~2 ppmv)

Analyzer Optical Path length 22.7 cm (8.938 in)

Model Number of Revision 3 01023[1] Conversion of Minimum detectable signal from ppmv to g/kg is computed for 200 mb and -57˚ C, a representative atmospheric condition at approximately 40,000 ft Flight Level[2] Conversion of Maximum detectable signal from ppmv to g/kg is computed for 1016 mb and 36˚ C, a representative atmospheric condition at the Surface

Environmental and Power RequirementsEnvironmental and Power Requirements

Outside air temperature range for operation

-65˚C to +50˚C

SEB inside operating temperature range

-5˚C to +30˚C

SEB storage temperature range -40˚C to +85˚C

Sample Gas Pressure Range Surface (1016 mb) to 200 mb

SEB Operating pressure range 14.7 PSI ± 10 PSI

Input voltage 28 VDC standard aircraft power

Current 5 amp maximum @ 28 VDC

Minimum Operating Voltage (any temperature)

17 VDC

Drop out Voltage (any temperature)

15.8 VDC

Maximum Operating Voltage (any temperature)

33 VDC

Environmental Range (SEB = System Electronics Box)

Power Requirements

Physical SpecificationsPhysical Specifications

Size 254.00mm (10.00”) long x 138.18mm (5.44”) wide x

92.08mm (3.625”) high

Weight 3.43 kg (7.56 lb)

Outputs (Standard

Mode)ARINC 429 via ACARS

Outputs (Research and

Test Modes)

RS-232 output direct to PC applications

Mounting6 x 10-32 Screws

Thermal Isolation from airframe required.

Replacement interval

At the convenience of the air carrierSize

136.35mm (5.37”) long x80.89mm (3.185”) wide x19.98mm (0.787”) high

Mounting Flush-mounted on outside skin of aircraft

Replacement interval

None required unless visible evidence of damage (20 year

lifetime)

Physical Specs; System Electronics Box

Physical Specs; External Air Sampler*

* The Aerial Sampler Patents, U.S. Patent No.s 6,809,648 and 6,997,050, were developed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Foundation has licensed the Aerial Sampler Technology to SpectraSensors Inc.

3 Mounting Screws – Each End

Relevant U.S. FAA CertificationsRelevant U.S. FAA Certifications

U.S. FAA Supplemental Type Certifications (STC) for: - B757-200PF - B737-300

U.S. FAA Supplemental Type Certifications (STC) in Progress for:- B737-700 (Planned completion Dec 2011)

U.S. FAA Supplemental Type Certifications (STC) Being Evaluated for:- B737-800 (Estimated completion Jun 2012)

Compliant to all environmental conditions specified by FAA Document Number RTCA/DO-160E dated December 9, 2004

WVSS-II Product Certifications

ISO 9001: 2008

U.S. FAA PMA for existing STCs

U.S. FAA Certified Repair Station for WVSS-II

SpectraSensors Manufacturing and Engineering Facilities Certifications

SpectraSensors LocationsSpectraSensors Locations

Atmospheric ProgramsBethesda, MD

(Washington DC Metro Area)

Corp HeadquartersHouston, TX

Production and Engineering DevelopmentRancho Cucamonga, CA

Small Business

~80 Employees, with 35 Engineers and

Scientists

WVSS-II Production at SpectraSensorsWVSS-II Production at SpectraSensors

SpectraSensors is FAA Certified for Production and Repair of WVSS-II

Examples of Soundings from WVSS-II Equipped AircraftExamples of Soundings from WVSS-II Equipped Aircraft

Use of WVSS-II Data by Meteorological Operations is no different than traditional sounding data, once processed into standard format

Status of US NWS WVSS-II Network as of September 2011Status of US NWS WVSS-II Network as of September 2011

UPS: 25 SWA: 29

* Data and Visualization courtesy of NOAA ESRL/GSD

Total: 54

24 Hours of WVSS-II Date from the U.S. NWS Network from 54 Aircraft

Global Implementation StatusGlobal Implementation Status

WVSS-II Units in Operation by WMO Member NMHS

WMO Region# In

Operation

# Delivered or Ordered But Not

Yet Installed

I - Africa

II - Asia

III – So America

IV – No America 54 38

V - So West Pacific

VI - Europe 3 (Rev 2) 10 WVSS-II Units in Operation by Other Users

Region# In

Operation

# Delivered or Ordered But Not

Yet Installed

Africa

Asia

So America

No America

So West Pacific

Europe 1 1

Potential Future OpportunitiesPotential Future Opportunities

Potential Expansion to other New Sensors if there is Sufficient Market Demand– Extending Water Vapor Measurements to Lower

Concentrations– Other Greenhouse Gases

Future Opportunities

Starting with Moisture and Moving to OtherGreenhouse Gas MeasurementsStarting with Moisture and Moving to OtherGreenhouse Gas Measurements

Other Greenhouse GasOther Greenhouse GasMeasurementMeasurement

Other Greenhouse GasOther Greenhouse GasMeasurementMeasurement

Other Greenhouse Gas Measurements can be taken using similar technologies

Requires Different Lasers, Electronics, Measurement Cell, and additional Aircraft Certifications

Can be addressed when Market Demand is Verified

Moisture MeasurementMoisture MeasurementMoisture MeasurementMoisture Measurement

Water Vapor

Water

CarbonDioxide Hydrogen

SulfideNitrousOxide

NN22OO

Methane

CHCH44

SulfurHexafluoride

SFSF66

Ozone

OO33Atmospheric Water Vapor (H20)

Drives Much of Our Weather

Source of Our Precipitation

Is a Major Contributor to the Greenhouse Effect

WVSS-II Verified in Operation

Thank You!Thank You!

Thank YouThank You

GraciasGracias

ObrigadoObrigado

Bryce L. FordVice President of Atmospheric ProgramsMobile: +1-202-549-3477 bford@spectrasensors.comSpectraSensors, Inc. 4720 Rosedale Ave Suite #720 Bethesda, MD 20814www.spectrasensors.com/wvss