Remote ice detection system for on-board applications based on fiber optics

In this paper we describe a fiber-based remote sensing device for the detection of liquid water and ice on the road surface suitable for on-board applications. The system is based on the different optical responses of water and ice to three near infrared wavelengths from low-cost semiconductor laser sources. The design of the sensor is divided in three main parts: The optical fiber-based illumination and collection optics, the optoelectronic system composed by the emitters/detector and the modulation/demodulation electronics and, finally, the data acquisition and digital processing system. The flexible optical design allows both the use of the sensor attached to a post by the road for static measurements, or to be incorporated into a road maintenance vehicle.