Remote Sensing Analysis

• This Remote Sensing Analysis is based on California Solicitation 50809 dated June 2002
• This analysis was made by building a hardware block diagram based on the above specification.
• It is totally independent of the hardware in the field
• Based on information gleened at the October 2006 California Inspection and Maintenanc0e Review Committee Meeting this section is being rewritten. Please be patient.

What Is Remote Sensing

• Remote Sensing operates on the principal of Infrared Absorption of Light to measure emissions
  • A Cargo Van containing Remote Sensing equipment transmits an infrared beam of light across a freeway on ramp to a mirror which reflects it back
  • The infrared beam is at 14 inches above the ground such that it passes across the body of a passenger car.
  • When a passenger car breaks the beam, it tells the computer to initialize the equipment to make a measurement
  • When the beam goes continuous again the equipment takes a picture of the license plate and measures the tailpipe emissions
  • Ironically, it is this very principal that makes the system flawed
  • Even though the beam is continuouly being transmitted an event can only happen when tbe beam breaks/makes connection.
  • The system will work OK for the normal passenger vehicle. However, many vehicles have a ground to body panel clearance greater than 14 inches. These vehicles will trigger an event across each axle

  The Achilles Heel Of Remote Sensing

  • Remote Sensing equipment resides in a full size cargo van. It passes an Infrared Beam across a freeway on-ramp and reflects the beam back to the van equipment.
  • In California vehicles receive a routine biennial smogcheck.
  • Remote Sensing is designed to measure vehicle emissions in between biennal smogchecks by Infrared Absorption of Light at freeway on ramps.
  • The infrared beam is placed at a height of 14 inches above the ground such that it will transit the body panel from end to end.
  • Transiting the body panel at this height allows the Remote Sensing Equipment to make an emissions measurement at the tailpipe of most passenger vehicles and capture a picture of the license plate.
  • However, ironically it is this 14 inch "Ground To Body Panel" requirement that is the "Achilles Heel" of Remote Sensing.

  MORE TO COME SOON