DIN ISO 28902-1:2012-06

DIN ISO 28902-1 specifies the requirements in order to perform visual range lidar measurements for the determination of direction-dependent meteorological optical range (MOR). These methods are used for both environmental protection as well as in air traffic control and corresponding measurement equipment that can be found today at every international airport. Based on its range-resolved measurement principle and the measurement principle without contact, measurements in any direction are possible and under conditions under which common measurement methods provide wrong information (for example, landing at ground fog or inhomogeneous stratification) or which are not accessible. Visual lidar measurements therefore increase the safety standards in air traffic and environmental protection. Due to physical approximations, quantitative determination is limited to a meteorological optical range of between 30 m and 2 000 m. For this range, this International Standard DIN ISO 28902-1 specifies the performance of visual-range lidar systems. The following parameters can be calculated based on the direction-dependent meteorological optical range (MOR): horizontal visual range; vertical visual range; slant visual range. In addition, this measurement principle enables the user to retrieve information on cloud base height, boundary layer depth, fog banks and aerosol profiles due to the signal attenuation by water vapour and/or aerosols. Examples of these applications are given and DIN ISO 28901-1 can be applied in the following areas: meteorological stations; airports; harbours; waterways; roads and motorways; automotive; oil platforms. The International Standard DIN ISO 28902-1 is a process standard and deals in particular with aspects of environmental protection and air traffic control focussing on the visual range. It is directed at users from safety regulatory authorities, meteorological institutes, airport control as well as manufacturers of equipment. The International Standard DIN ISO 28902-1 has been prepared by ISO/TC 146 "Air quality", SC 5 "Meteorology", with close involvement of German experts of WG 6 "Lidar" (secretariat and chairmanship: DIN), in collaboration of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).