Introduction to AGL

"In aviation, atmospheric sciences and broadcasting, a height above ground level (AGL or HAGL) is a height measured with respect to the underlying ground surface. This is as opposed to height above mean sea level (AMSL or HAMSL), height above ellipsoid (HAE, as reported by a GPS receiver), or height above average terrain (AAT or HAAT, in broadcast engineering). In other words, these expressions (AGL, AMSL, HAE, AAT) indicate where the "zero level" or "reference altitude" - the vertical datum - is located. "

In other words the AGL system measures the platform's clearance above the glacier surface.

First, considering the variability of light conditions when flying above snow and ice-covered terrain the system can assist the pilot in the estimation of the platform position. Second, it provides a surface reference for the radar data as the latter tends to be obscured due to ringing within the few tens of meters below the aircraft.

To achieve this the system is composed of:

• a sensor module
• a link (display) module
• a data module

AGL Sensor Module

The sensor module must be installed with no field of view obstruction below the sensor (see specs below) looking down. The device includes a 24 GHz FMCW radar module for distance sensing as well as communication hardware for data transfer to the cockpit, and IPR unit.

Mechanical:	Electrical:
size: 23x18x10cm	Vdc: 5 to 20V
weight: 750g , with battery	Current draw: ~ 165mA @ 14V
Waterproof, IP 65 (rain, dust) (*)	Lithium rechargable battery 14.8 V Nominal, 4400mAh
Mounting: tie-down and short sling	Battery duration: ~ 26 hr , de-rated to ~ 13 hr in cold conditions

Measurement Range	Resolution	Update Rate	Req'd unobstruced fields of view
~ 0.2-100m	~ 0.2m	1 Hz	28 Deg and 18 Deg

• the Power Port is connected to the onboard rechargeable battery
• recharging the battery is done by disconnecting the leads from the power port and connecting the charger to the battery connectors.
• The Battery life proxy indicator is given by the battery level:

Full Battery	** Half full**	** Recharge Batt **
~ 16 V	~ 14.8 V	~13.3 V

Discharge curve for Li.Ions are typically showing a fast decline from Full state, to Nominal, then slow decline to around 13.3 V, then very fast again past this point when a cut-off point is reached.

Two Status LEDs are visible in the small window:

Green LED	** Orange LED Flashing**
power on, system operating	a distance measurement is perfomed ($)

AGL Link Module

The Link Module is the display unit showing live read-outs from the data acquired by the Sensor Module. It includes a rechargeable lithium Ion battery.

Mechanical:	Electrical:
size: 19x15x5cm	Vdc: 5 to 20V
weight: 400g , with battery	Current draw: ~ 40mA @ 14V
Mounting: 1/4-20 thread (GoPro mount ok)	Lithium rechargable battery 14.8 V Nominal, 2200mAh
Mounting: velcro base available	Battery duration: ~56 hr, de-rated to ~28 hr (cold env.)

• Once the sensor module broadcasts a measurement, the link modules will display it.
• If no data are received, No Data will show on the display
• The left side toggle switch selects the unit: feet or meters.
• The battery level indication is similar to the the sensor module'scattering
• The right side switch has 3 positions : ON, OFF, and Batt.
• The Batt. position should only be used for recharging the battery

Full Battery	** Half full**	** Recharge Batt **
~ 16 V	~ 14.8 V	~13.3 V

AGL Data Module

The Data Module plugs directly into the USB front connector of the IceRadar Rx unit. The Air-IPR software interfaces with the module and merges the sensor's data into the hdf5 radar file.