Exploring multi-sensor satellite synergies to provide direction to high-resolution along-track altimtery currents

A new approach to compute along-track velocity components by combining altimetry-based across-track components and front directions from remote sensing maps of surface chlorophyll concentration is proposed. The analysis focuses on the South Madagascar region characterized by the strong East Madagascar Current and sharp gradients of surface tracers. The results are compared against in-situ observations from three moorings along the Jason-1 track 196. Accurate information on the total velocity direction is the key factor for obtaining accurate estimates of along-track velocities. Although with some limitations, surface tracer fronts can be successfully used to retrieve such information.

Ocean Virtual Laboratory: A new way to explore multi-sensor synergy demonstrated over the Agulhas region

Ocean Virtual Laboratory is an ESA-funded project to prototype the concept of a single point of access for all satellite remote-sensing data with ancillary model output and in situ measurements for a given region. The idea is to provide easy access for the non-specialist to both data and state-of-the-art processing techniques and enable their easy analysis and display. The project, led by OceanDataLab, is being trialled in the region of the Agulhas Current, as it contains signals of strong contrast (due to very energetic upper ocean dynamics) and special SAR data acquisitions have been recorded there. The project also encourages the take up of Earth Observation data by developing training material to help those not in large scientific or governmental organizations make the best use of what data are available. The website for access is: http://ovl-project.oceandatalab.com/

Difference equation approach to two-thermocouple sensor characterisation in constant velocity flow environments

Thermocouples are one of the most popular devices for temperature measurement due to their robustness, ease of manufacture and installation, and low cost. However, when used in certain harsh environments, for example, in combustion systems and engine exhausts, large wire diameters are required, and consequently the measurement bandwidth is reduced. This article discusses a software compensation technique to address the loss of high frequency fluctuations based on measurements from two thermocouples. In particular, a difference equation sDEd approach is proposed and compared with existing methods both in simulation and on experimental test rig data with constant flow velocity. It is found that the DE algorithm, combined with the use of generalized total least squares for parameter identification, provides better performance in terms of time constant estimation without any a priori assumption on the time constant ratios of the thermocouples.

Blind Deconvolution for Two-thermocouple Sensor Characterisation

Thermocouples are one of the most popular devices for temperature measurement due to their robustness, ease of manufacture and installation, and low cost. However, when used in the harsh environment found in combustion systems and automotive engine exhausts, large wire diameters are required and consequently the measurement bandwidth is reduced. This paper describes two new algorithmic compensation techniques based on blind deconvolution to address this loss of high-frequency signal components using the measurements from two thermocouples. In particular, a continuous-time approach is proposed, combined with a cross-relation blind deconvolution for parameter estimation. A feature of this approach is that no a priori assumption is made about the time constant ratio of the two thermocouples. The advantages, including small estimation variance and limitations of the method, are highlighted using results from simulation and test rig studies.

Exploiting a priori time constant ratio information in difference equation two-thermocouple sensor characterisation

The characterization of thermocouple sensors for temperature measurement in varying-flow environments is a challenging problem. Recently, the authors introduced novel difference-equation-based algorithms that allow in situ characterization of temperature measurement probes consisting of two-thermocouple sensors with differing time constants. In particular, a linear least squares (LS) lambda formulation of the characterization problem, which yields unbiased estimates when identified using generalized total LS, was introduced. These algorithms assume that time constants do not change during operation and are, therefore, appropriate for temperature measurement in homogenous constant-velocity liquid or gas flows. This paper develops an alternative ß-formulation of the characterization problem that has the major advantage of allowing exploitation of a priori knowledge of the ratio of the sensor time constants, thereby facilitating the implementation of computationally efficient algorithms that are less sensitive to measurement noise. A number of variants of the ß-formulation are developed, and appropriate unbiased estimators are identified. Monte Carlo simulation results are used to support the analysis.

Single-Mode Fiber Refractive Index Sensor Based on Core-Offset Attenuators

Mach-Zehnder and Michelson interferometers using core-offset attenuators were demonstrated. As the relative offset direction of the two attenuators in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer can significantly affect the extinction ratio of the interference pattern, single core-offset attenuator-based sensors appear more robust and repeatable. A novel fiber Michelson interferometer refractive index (RI) sensor was subsequently realized by a single core-offset attenuator and a layer of ~ 500-nm gold coating. The device had a minimum insertion loss of 0.01 dB and maximum extinction ratio over 9 dB. The sensitivity (0.333 nm) of the new sensor to its surrounding RI change (0.01) was found to be comparable to that (0.252 nm) of an identical long period gratings pair Mach-Zehnder interferometric sensor, and its ease of fabrication makes it a low-cost alternative to existing sensing applications.