Method of automatically determining visibility with light detection and ranging or LIDAR system

摘要

The method involves selecting a distance measuring range. A start value is provided. A local extinction value is calculated according to a given equation, taking the start value into account. The visibility is calculated by averaging the local extinction value. The calculated visibility is compared with the start value. When the difference exceeds a predetermined amount, the above calculating steps are repeated with the calculated visibility as the start value. The calculation may be stopped after a predetermined number of times of repeating the calculating steps. The deviation between the calculated value and the start value may be output. The average visibility may be output in the set range when this lies within the measuring range of the LIDAR system.