LASER RANGE FINDER CHARACTERISTICS.docx

LASER RANGE FINDER CHARACTERISTICS

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Operations request information regarding laser range finder for use in the FAA’s Flight Inspection system. The laser range finder will be used to measure the Threshold Crossing Height (TCH) during flight inspection activities. The laser range finder will only be used with the flight inspection system and will not interface with the aircraft avionics.

CHARACTERISTIC

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATION

PERFORMANCE

Min measurement elevation

20 feet AGL

Max measurement elevation

Not less than 500 feet AGL

Elevation accuracy

< 2 inches, 2 σ

Measurement frequency

10 Hertz minimum

INTERFACE

Communications

TBD

Measurement latency

< 0.5 seconds

Latency jitter

< 0.005 second

ENVIRONMENTAL

Temperature range

Operating: -55 to 60 °C

Storage: -55 to 85 °C

Altitude

41,000 feet

Because the laser range finder will be used in a fixed wing aircraft environment, a level of ruggedness is desired along with a minimum of size, weight, and power. The range finder will be used as a part of a real time system, thus timing control is critical. In order to evaluate a vendor response, information about the following items is requested.

MECHANICAL

Housing/Connector Styles

Size

Weight

Cooling (Forced Air or Passive)

ELECTRICAL

Type (Voltage/AC/DC)

Power (Watts)

INTERFACES

Ethernet/RS-232/ARINC 429 /Analog etc.

TIMING MECHANISMS

IRIG B, External Trigger, Time tag with data, etc.

PERFORMANCE

Range (Min/Max)

Range Accuracy

Range Resolution

Latency (Measurement to Reporting)

Repeatability of Measurement

Repeatability of Latency

Field of View

Sensitivity to Surface Change

Fog Sensitivity

Ambient Light Sensitivity

Eye Safety/Operational Safety

User Controllable Parameters

Operational Wavelengths

Output Power Level

Pulse or Continuous Operation