Optical fiber ceilometer for meteorological cloud altitude sensing

摘要

An optical fiber based ceilometer for sensing cloud height is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the ceilometer comprises a transmitter based upon optical fibers transmitting an output signal to a target. The transmitter includes a radiation source generating the output signal at a prescribed wavelength or wavelengths. A first waveguide is receptive of the output signal and guides the output signal therealong. A receiver is receptive of a return signal wherein the return signal comprises the output signal reflected or backscattered from the target. In a second embodiment the ceilometer comprises a radiation source generating an output signal at a prescribed wavelength. An optical fiber transceiver is receptive of the output signal and transmits the output signal to a target, receiving thereby a return signal; wherein the return signal comprises the output signal reflected or backscattered off of the target. A sensor senses the return signal. An optical fiber or other multiplexer is receptive of the output signal, directs the output signal to the transceiver and is receptive of the return signal and directs the return signal to the sensor.