Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has reported its testing of a new system equipped with wind LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and water vapor DIAL (differential absorption LIDAR). The testing is aimed at developing measuring methods to forecast torrential rain.

(Image: Mitsubishi)

According to Mitsubishi Electric, the system is able to simULtaneously measure water vapor in the air and upward air currents in a wider range compared to conventional measurement. The new system, which is based on a conventional wind LIDAR that Mitsubishi Electric released in 2014, has been enhanced for the measurement of water atmospheric vapor. It transmits laser beams from the ground to simultaneously measure the amount and distance of water vapor as well as the speed and direction of wind. With the system, Mitsubishi Electric expects to launch a commercial system which can easily forecast torrential rain.
Mitsubishi Electric has been testing and refining the measurement accuracy of new water vapor DIAL and wind LIDAR methods, which are now in the stage of demonstration testing. The wind LIDAR and water vapor DIAL demonstration system will be exhibited at CEATEC JAPAN 2018 from October 16th to 19th.