SOW_Solmirus_ASIS-M1i_Camera.docx

SOW Solmirus ASIS-M1i Infrared Sky Camera

1. Purpose:

The National Weather Service conducts upper atmospheric observations with radiosondes at 102 sites throughout the United States, Pacific Islands, and Caribbean Islands. These observations are highly desirable for global scale numerical weather prediction, severe weather prediction, satellite validation, and climatological measurements. The current frequency band these radiosondes use will not be utilized after 2022, meaning the current radiosondes, their tracking devices, and their locations will become obsolete. New systems shall be tested, in a new frequency band, to replace the current systems. As a part of testing, it is critical that accurate data documentation and images, of the day and night sky and cloud conditions, are collected with each test flight. The sky images will be collected in a variety of locations and weather conditions. The collection of the images and data will allow the RFMP team to reference the information throughout testing.

2. Mission:

To procure a Solmirus ASIS-M1i infrared sky camera that offers day and night infrared imaging capabilities with software. The system should produce images and information on cloud height, cloud cover, cloud color temperature, water vapor, and optical depth.

3. Period and Place of Performance:

The anticipated procurement schedule for the Solmirus ASIS-M1i system is August 2018, with an anticipated delivery date no later than October 2018. The Sterling Field Support Center in Sterling, VA will accept delivery of the Solmirus ASIS-M1i system.

4. Background:

One if the primary missions of SFSC is to test and characterize meteorological equipment for use in the NWS network. This includes balloon born weather equipment such as radiosondes. Currently, the 1680 MHz frequency is utilized with these instruments; however, in 2022 they will no longer be able to operate at that range. New systems will be tested to replace these current systems in a new frequency band. A Solmirus ASIS-M1i infrared sky camera will provide images and other data information to supplement the testing process of these new radiosonde systems. The camera will document the conditions so that, if needed, the documentation can be referred to at a later date. The camera images and data will be used as supplementary material throughout the course of testing.

5. Product Description and Requirement:

The Solmirus ASIS-M1i infrared sky camera system has day and night imaging capabilities with the ability to produce data on cloud height, cloud cover, cloud color temperature, water vapor, and optical depth. The ASIS-M1i will be utilized at all RFMP testing locations in order to accurately document the sky and cloud conditions for reference during each radiosonde test flight. The Solmirus ASIS-M1i is an infrared 180o lens camera that takes images at 30 frames a second, which typically translates to the system acquiring data every minute. The camera has a lens of 640x512 infrared microbolometer focal display allowing for a high quality infrared image. This allows for an accurate portrayal of the cloud and other data products throughout the launch of a flight.

The Solmirus ASIS-M1i shall be portable with limited set up and calibration needed when moved from site to site. The ASIS-M1i is a 12” wide x 8” deep x 16” tall system which is portable with some calibrations to run when it is moved and set up. This system could easily travel between sites for RFMP testing producing supplementary information and recording the data and images for later use. The addition of the precipitation sensor allows the instrument to measure hail and protect the lens from being broken from hail.

The variety of reference sensors and lenses, with the infrared camera, allow for a better determination of data products such as cloud color temperature, water vapor, cloud heights, and optical depth. The data and images collected at the same time as the test flights will be utilized to keep an accurate documentation of the sky and cloud conditions. The information and images shall also be provided as supplemental documentation for the findings from the RFMP testing.

6. Performance Specifications:

The Solmirus ASIS-M1i must meet the minimum performance specifications listed below:

Table 1 - Solmirus ASIS-M1i “Minimum Requirements”

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