Sampling probe BCP

concentrationlightoptical

Product overview
The BCP is a compact back-scatter cloud probe for airborne measurement of particles and hydrometeors sized 5 µm to 75 µm. Its aerodynamic design prevents airflow distortion and eliminates contamination from ice crystal shattering.

Features and benefits

• Aerodynamic design — minimizes airflow disturbance and supports installation on aircraft where space is limited.
• Comprehensive, customizable output — real-time totals, transit-time averages, over-range counts and probe health indicators.
• Dynamic baseline — automatic adjustments to sizing and qualifier signals to compensate temperature drifts and maintain sizing accuracy.
• Advanced user control — configurable sample rate and size-bin thresholds; size distributions stored on probe and output via RS-232 or RS-422 serial interfaces.
• Lifecycle Care Program — defined support program to maintain instrument integrity and performance.

Technology

• Particle light-scattering — particles crossing the laser beam scatter light collected by optics and converted to electrical pulses by a photodetector.
• Light within a cone subtending 143°–169° (center-line 156° ± 13°) is directed to the photodetector; pulses are amplified and digitized for processing.
• Mie theory is applied to scattering-peak amplitudes to derive particle size and number concentration.

Main applications

• Cloud physics research
• Climate modeling and radiative forcing studies

PADS – Particle Analysis and Display System (optional)
PADS provides a virtual instrument panel to control the BCP, display live data and log results. Capabilities include:

• Start/stop data recording and sampling
• View size histograms
• Display particle volume and number concentrations, Liquid Water Content (LWC), Median Volume Diameter (MVD) and Effective Diameter (ED)
• Monitor instrument parameters (optic block temperature, electronic box temperature, baseline monitor voltage)

Technical information
Measured Parameters: Single-particle light scattering
Auxiliary Parameters: Temperature, Pressure
Derived Parameters: Particle diameter; Particle number concentration; Liquid water content (LWC); Effective Diameter (ED); Median Volume Diameter (MVD)
Particle Size Range: 5 – 75 µm
Number of Size Bins: 10, 20, 30, or 40 (configured at time of purchase); user-selected boundaries
Number Concentration Range: 0 – 1,000 particles/cm3
Air Speed Range: 10 – 250 m/sec
Sampling Frequency: Selectable, 0.04 sec to 20 sec
Light Collection Angles: Center-line 156° ± 13° (subtending 143°–169°)
Laser: 658 nm
Laser Power: ≤ 50 mW
Data System Interface: RS-422 (RS-232 supported)
Environmental Operating Conditions: Temperature −40° to 40°C; Relative Humidity 0–100% non-condensing; Altitude 0–50,000 ft (0–15,000 m)
Weight: 1.5 kg
Probe Dimensions: 11.7 cm × 10.7 cm × 4.5 cm (mounting flange Ø 5.9 cm)
Electronic Box Dimensions: 21.6 cm × 12 cm × 5.7 cm
Power Requirements: 28 VDC, 5 A (system + heaters)

Specifications

• Measured: single-particle light scattering
• Particle size range: 5 – 75 µm
• Size bins: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 (configurable)
• Concentration range: 0 – 1,000 particles/cm3
• Air speed range: 10 – 250 m/s
• Sampling frequency: 0.04 s to 20 s selectable
• Laser: 658 nm, ≤ 50 mW
• Interface: RS-422 (serial)
• Operating temperature: −40° to 40°C; RH 0–100% non-condensing; altitude up to 15,000 m
• Weight: 1.5 kg; probe dims: 11.7 × 10.7 × 4.5 cm; electronic box: 21.6 × 12 × 5.7 cm
• Power: 28 VDC, 5 A (system + heaters)