Technology Advisory Committee (TAC)Charge

• Familiarize itself with strategic plans and emerging technologies.

• Evaluate issues and opportunities associated with sensors, data services, and operations research.

• “In consideration of ATD core competencies and the unique role of multi-user observing systems, advance thematic proposals pertaining to ATD’s key contributions over the coming decade.”

• “Stratify thematic proposals into technological or applications categories, such as optical remote sensing, precision in situ sampling, airborne remote sensing, etc.”

What Constitutes a Technological or Applications Thematic Proposal?• Examples given: optical remote sensing, in situ

sampling, airborne remote sensing.• Develop vs. apply technology.• Theme qualification: Envision ATD Institute of XYZ

Technology (incorporates development and application).• Does ATD Institute (future group organization?) make

sense “In consideration of ATD core competencies and the unique role …”?

• How much consideration should be given to present ATD core competencies vs. ATD of the future?

TAC Process

• NSF, NCAR, ATD Strategic Plan

• RTF group plans

• Canvas staff

• TAC retreat

• TAC Ballot

Technological Themes• Optical Measurement Systems

– Remote sensing lidars– In-situ chemistry measurements– Tunable Diode Laser based systems– Passive optical radiometric sensors (hyper-spectral imaging, MCR, in-

cloud temperature, etc.)– Particle imaging probes

• Microwave Remote Sensing. – Ground based and airborne radars (Eldora II, etc.)– Antenna systems– Refractivity water vapor measurements– Electric field measurements– Profiler radars– Passive microwave sensors (imaging, temperature measurement, etc.)

Technological Themes

• Global/Climate State Monitoring: Contributing to broad scale observations of atmospheric state, in support of large area and/or extended time characterization.– Driftsonde, commercial aircraft sonde, “flutter sonde”– Reference radiosonde– AXBTsonde– Long term surface observations

• Advanced Signal Processing– 1D and 2D data processing– Fuzzy logic, adaptive algorithms– Advanced numerical analysis (Wavelets, etc.)– Hardware FPGA and IP cores– Image processing

Technological Themes• Observing System Cyber-Infrastructure

– Data warehousing, navigation and delivery– Data formats and packaging– Data communications protocols– Distributed field project control and operations– Airborne “laboratory in the sky development”

• Intelligent Sensor Networks– Self configuring, smart sensor networks– Collaborative adaptive measurement algorithms– Distributed communication schemes and internet connectivity– Remote monitoring and data access– Multiple scales of measurement– In-situ (ISA) and remote (CASA)– Worldwide GPS time/frequency standards utilization

Technological Themes

• Coupled Observations/Assimilation– Package data for ready assimilation into models– Integrate assimilation and model output into real time

“products” for field control centers

• UAV and Pod Mounted Instruments– Miniaturized instruments, MEMS– Advanced power systems– Composite materials utilization– Data sampling for speed, range, and duration

Technological Themes

• Inlet Design and Airflow Engineering– Airflow modeling and CFD analysis for

airframes, instruments, and pods– Air inlet sampling systems for gases and

aerosols up to max HIAPER airspeed (Mach 0.8)

Engineer Ballot

• The TAC understood from Rit that about 5 themes are to be offered (at some stage in the process).

• Engineers and other interested persons were asked: “Please rank the list from 1 to 9, with 1 being in your opinion, the technology area which has the potential to bring the greatest impact to atmospheric or related sciences. If some are tied in priority, favor the ones for which you believe ATD has or could develop the best expertise.”

• Please provide comments.

TAC Ballot

Results

3.6 Optical Measurement Systems

4.2 Observing System Cyber-Infrastructure

4.3 UAV and Pod Mounted Instruments

4.7 Global Climate State Monitoring

4.7 Intelligent Sensor Networks

5.0 Microwave Remote Sensing

5.3 Advanced Signal Processing

6.1 Coupled Observations/Assimilation

7.1 Inlet Design and Airflow Engineering

Optical Measurement Systems

UAV and Pod Mounted Instruments

Observing System Cyber-Infrastructure

Global Climate State MonitoringIntelligent Sensor Networks

Microwave Remote Sensing

Advanced Signal Processing

Coupled Obs./Assimilation

Inlet Design & Airflow Eng.

3.5

7.5

Average Ranking (19 responses)

Selected comments from ballots• Difficult to prioritize: All relevant, built in bias, lots of overlap

(reorganize themes?), need science oversight/guidance, we should be involved in all the themes.

• Cost/Benefit analysis?• Some themes are instrument specific, others are not.• Emerging technological opportunities as a theme?• Ship borne not mentioned.• We should concentrate on system engineering and developing

integrated sensor systems.• We should concentrate on developing fewer systems to turn-key

completion.• How about a theme on sensor technology (technology as a

technological theme)?• Combine assimilation and cyber-infrastructure.• How about testing/calibration/validation (should be part of any

theme) as a theme itself?

ATD Engineering “Process”

• More interaction with the profession: Conferences,

seminars, sabbaticals, visitors.

• Designated system or project lead engineers.

• Collaboration w/ outside groups.

• Share engineers among projects.

• More formal practices.

• More engineering research, basic and applied.