Final Report Summary - DANIELA (Demonstration of anemometry instrument based on laser)
Project context and objectives:
The aim of the DANIELA project is to prepare the operational use of a flush mounted Air data system (ADS) built around a 3-axis Doppler Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) function as a primary air data channel on civil aircraft, and to assess optical concepts for the measurement of temperature and density to complete the ADS, in a second step. A current typical air data system is composed of probes and pressure sensors. It delivers parameters for the aircraft's flight, such as air speed, angle of attack and altitude. In order to ensure the system availability, the probes need de-icing protection, which requires high power consumption (typically 9 000 Watt for the 3 air data channels). They also need an efficient water drainage for which periodic maintenance operation are requested.
The main issue before implementing the technology in the airplane programmes is to make sure that the system will provide the parameters in all adverse flight conditions. DANIELA will take advantage of the work performed in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) NESLIE project. DANIELA will allow a step further in the domain of LIDAR size, weight and cost reduction, thanks to the use of latest integrated optics technology (integration on substrate, guided optic) providing therefore high level of cost efficiency and reliability expected by civil air transportation. Project Results: The second flight test campaign (FT2) to Africa was successfully finished, after which the aircraft has been restored into its original configuration. DANIELA mock-up has been shipped to THAV for possible reuse in another European Commission project (HAIC). Flight test data has been recorded and distributed, together with explanations on contents and use of the data (D125-04). An elaborate overview of all test flights (both FT1 and FT2) has been given in D125-03. Post-flight analyses in latter deliverable shows that almost all required atmospheric phenomena have been encountered. The ones not encountered were simply not available during the flight test periods.
Two flight test engineers from THAV took part in FT2. The recorded data (LIDAR and aircraft references, videos, in-flight notes (Pilots and DANIELA operator), meteo forecasts) have been analysed and the report D125-05 issued. The signal processing has been adapted and performance assessment is done.
Potential impact:
The use of laser technology is seen as an alternative solution to improve in the future the operation by the main airframers as it is not affected by icing/rain environment and no programmed maintenance operation is foreseen. Even if it is not able to provide all parameters at an early stage, a partial implementation using three axis velocity is envisaged, enabling to remove the most exposed external probes: AOA / SSA and PITOT.
The aim of the DANIELA project is to prepare the operational use of a flush mounted Air data system (ADS) built around a 3-axis Doppler Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) function as a primary air data channel on civil aircraft, and to assess optical concepts for the measurement of temperature and density to complete the ADS, in a second step. A current typical air data system is composed of probes and pressure sensors. It delivers parameters for the aircraft's flight, such as air speed, angle of attack and altitude. In order to ensure the system availability, the probes need de-icing protection, which requires high power consumption (typically 9 000 Watt for the 3 air data channels). They also need an efficient water drainage for which periodic maintenance operation are requested.
The main issue before implementing the technology in the airplane programmes is to make sure that the system will provide the parameters in all adverse flight conditions. DANIELA will take advantage of the work performed in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) NESLIE project. DANIELA will allow a step further in the domain of LIDAR size, weight and cost reduction, thanks to the use of latest integrated optics technology (integration on substrate, guided optic) providing therefore high level of cost efficiency and reliability expected by civil air transportation. Project Results: The second flight test campaign (FT2) to Africa was successfully finished, after which the aircraft has been restored into its original configuration. DANIELA mock-up has been shipped to THAV for possible reuse in another European Commission project (HAIC). Flight test data has been recorded and distributed, together with explanations on contents and use of the data (D125-04). An elaborate overview of all test flights (both FT1 and FT2) has been given in D125-03. Post-flight analyses in latter deliverable shows that almost all required atmospheric phenomena have been encountered. The ones not encountered were simply not available during the flight test periods.
Two flight test engineers from THAV took part in FT2. The recorded data (LIDAR and aircraft references, videos, in-flight notes (Pilots and DANIELA operator), meteo forecasts) have been analysed and the report D125-05 issued. The signal processing has been adapted and performance assessment is done.
Potential impact:
The use of laser technology is seen as an alternative solution to improve in the future the operation by the main airframers as it is not affected by icing/rain environment and no programmed maintenance operation is foreseen. Even if it is not able to provide all parameters at an early stage, a partial implementation using three axis velocity is envisaged, enabling to remove the most exposed external probes: AOA / SSA and PITOT.