MiniMPL
Mini Micro Pulse LiDAR
The Mini Micro Pulse LiDAR (MiniMPL) is a small form factor, low-power, elastic backscatter lidar. The instrument is a ground-based, optical, remote-sensing system designed to determine the altitude of clouds and to detect atmospheric aerosols. Pulses of energy are transmitted into the atmosphere; the energy scattered back to the transceiver is collected and measured as a time-resolved signal, thereby detecting clouds and aerosols in real time. MPL and MiniMPL are the only LiDARs simultaneously approved for NASA MPLNET, US Dept of Energy ARM program, and EUMETNET.
TALK TO AN EXPERTThe MiniMPL delivers advanced cloud and planetary boundary layer data for atmospheric profiling up to 15 km. Make the fastest and most accurate decisions based on reliable information.
Allow co-polarized and cross-polarized backscatter measurements that provide information on the cloud phase (liquid versus ice).
Enable the cloud layer mapping feature that outperforms ceilometers by observing through moderately thick fog and low clouds–fora greater number of detected layers, a better range resolution, and faster reporting times.
Use data to calculate cloud phase and depolarizing aerosols, cloud scattering cross sections and optical thicknesses, planetary boundary layer heights,and aerosol extinction and optical thickness profiles–including those into the stratosphere in nighttime cases.
Utilize the all solid-state laser that provides more than 10,000 hours of uninterrupted service; a robust 80mm co-axial transmit/receive aperture; and a field replaceable fiber-coupled, photon-counting detector that needs no realignment.
MPL and MiniMPL are the only lidars simultaneously approved by NASA MPLNET, US Dept of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Program, and EUMETNET
MPL Software
The powerful MPL software suite is included with every purchase of a MPL or MiniMPL system and allows operation in data acquisition mode or playback mode.
Data acquisition mode:
- Set lidar operation parameters such as laser energy, integration time,or range resolution.
- Generate the raw data profile, r-squared corrected profile, normalized relative backscatter (NRB) profile,housekeeping data,and cloud/aerosol/boundary layer information in real time.
Playback mode:
- Get straightforward interpretation of the raw data.
- Retrieve previously stored data files.
- Study a long period of data to determine atmospheric trends.
- Export results for further processing or presentation in other software packages such as Microsoft Excel, MATLAB,or PowerPoint.
Wildfire Monitoring and Prediction
Urban Air Quality Monitoring and Prediction
Aviation Safety
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
- Pulses of laser energy are transmitted into the atmosphere; the energy scattered back to the transceiver is collected and measured as a time-resolved signal, thereby detecting clouds and aerosols in real time.
- The transmission path starts at the laser. The beam is first expanded, and then the polarizationorientation is set. Finally, the lasergoes through a second stage of expansion before it leaves thetelescope. Two polarization states leave the MiniMPL, co-pol and cross-pol.
- On the return path, light that has been scattered off particles in the atmosphere enters the MiniMPLand follows the same path as the transmit beam. Once it enters the telescope,it is collected by the receiver and focused onto the detector (not shown).
| Performance | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range resolution | 5/15/30/75m(software programmable) |
| Minimum range | 100m |
| Accumulation time | 1 sec - 15 mins |
| Detection range* | Typically to 15 km |
| Polarization | Standard |
| Scanning | Optional |
| Optics | |
| Laser wavelength | 532nm |
| Laser pulse energy | 3 - 4 μJ @ 2500 Hz |
| Eye-safety | ANSI Z136.1 2000, IEC 60825 |
| Receiver diameter | 80 mm |
| Pump laser diode | Guaranteed 10,000 hours |
| Detector | Fiber coupled, user replaceable |
| Dimensions | |
| Size | 240 x 305 x 480 mm |
| Weight (portability) | 13kg |
| Data | |
| Operating system | Windows 7/10 |
| Computer interface | USB |
| Data transfer | LAN Ethernet |
| Environment | |
| Temperature | Operating +17°C to 35°C |
| Humidity | 0 to 80% |
| Power | |
| Supply | 110-240 VAC 50-60 Hz |
| Consumption | 100w |
- MiniMPL Scanner
- GPS (GIS Package)
- All-sky Camera
- Weather Station
The Lifecycle Care Program ensures MiniMPL integrity and performance vital to your research mission for three years or three calls (whichever comes first). When conducting complex and time-intensive laboratory or field measurements, it is critical to avoid downtime and ensure data collection accuracy. The program consists of three key deliverables for each year or call:
- Instrument logistics
- Instrument integrity
- Instrument performance
Lifecycle Care Program Includes:
LOGISTICS
- Shipping to and from Droplet Measurement Technologies facility
- Customs handling, including CARNET ATA if required
INTEGRITY
- Incoming instrument evaluation and health check
PERFORMANCE
- Software and firmware validation
- 100%-unit functionality test
- Calibration data
- Calibration report
- Certificate of calibration
At times, our technician might discover an instrument issue, which might not be covered by the Lifecycle Care Program or by our product warranty. In such case, we will reach out to you with a service and repair estimate to allow you to provide us with the next steps of action
Multi‐year measurements of cloud base heights at South Pole by lidar
The Micropulse Lidar Network has operated a full-time lidar measurement program at South Pole Station since 2000. Observations from this instrument are an important multi-year record of clouds over the Antarctic plateau.
Read More
Status of the NASA Micro Pulse LiDAR Network (MPLNET): Overview of the Network and Future Plans, New Version 3 Data Products and the Polarized MPL
The NASA Micro Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) is a global federated network of Micro-Pulse Lidars (MPL) co-located with the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). MPLNET began in 2000, and there are currently 17 long-term sites, numerous field campaigns, and more planned sites on the way.
Read More
Aerosol lidar observations of atmospheric mixing in Los Angeles: Climatology and implications for greenhouse gas observations
We report on remotely sensed profiles of vertical aerosol distribution taken over a 2 year period in Pasadena, California. Using an automated analysis system, we estimate daytime mixing layer depth, achieving high confidence in the afternoon maximum on 51% of days with profiles from a Sigma Space Mini Micropulse LiDAR (MiniMPL) and on 36% of days with a Vaisala CL51 ceilometer.
Read More