Patent ID: 7495774

Claim:
An optical air data system, comprising: a. a laser adapted to generate a first beam of light; b. at least one beam splitter operatively associated with said first beam of light, wherein said at least one beam splitter splits said first beam of light from said laser into a reference beam and at least one second beam of light, and said at least one second beam of light is directed into an atmosphere along an associated axis; c. at least one telescope adapted to receive light backscattered by molecules or aerosols of said atmosphere responsive to a corresponding at least one said second beam of light; d. an interferometer, wherein a first portion of said interferometer is adapted to receive a light signal from said light backscattered by said molecules or aerosols of said atmosphere, at least one second portion of said interferometer is adapted to receive at least one of said reference beam and at least one other light signal from said light backscattered by said molecules or aerosols of said atmosphere, said interferometer is operative to generate a first fringe pattern associated with said light signal from said light backscattered by said molecules or aerosols of said atmosphere, and said interferometer is operative to generate at least one second fringe pattern associated with said at least one of said reference beam and at least one other light signal from said light backscattered by said molecules or aerosols of said atmosphere; e. at least one detector, wherein said at least one detector is adapted to detect said first fringe pattern and said at least one second fringe pattern, and said at least one detector is adapted to output a corresponding resulting at least one signal; and f. a data processor adapted to determine at least one air data product responsive to said at least one signal.