Vibrational dynamics of a Morane Saulnier MS.760 Paris Aircraft Wing
Q2 Laser Radar System, for Aviation Applications
Ommatidia Q2 Laser Doppler vibrometer, FMCW
Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) and Maintenance, and Repair and Operation (MRO) activities are essential processes in the lifecycle of an aircraft. Accurate modal identification and structural validation are required to ensure airworthiness, support structural modifications, and detect early stage damage. Traditional approaches rely heavily on large accelerometer arrays, complex cabling, and extended setup times, which increase operational cost and limit measurement density >>> Unlike conventional sensor based systems, Q2 requires no accelerometer installation, eliminating mass loading effects, cabling and significantly reducing preparation time.
Article PDF
Click below to download the Case Study
A dedicated photonic integrated circuit (PICs), analyzes multiple optical channels in parallel, enabling the simultaneous 3D measurement of vibrations and displacements.
Laser Beams
The equipment used is Ommatidia Q2 Laser Doppler vibrometer, based on FMCW Laser RADAR Technology (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave).
For how Q2 aeroelasticity measurements sit within the wider QMini, Q1S, Q1 and Q2 family, see the Q-series platform comparison.
The Q2 has two operating modes:
Laser Doppler vibrometer mode: measures the velocity or displacement of a surface without contact.
Metrology mode: measures the distance to the sensor and generates a point cloud.
During the same acquisition process, Ommatidia´s LiDAR Q2 collects, both: 3D vibrometry and high-resolution metrology data.
This system features multichannel coherent detection, consisting of 65 simultaneous laser beams for signal acquisition.
Hours, Total time
With the Q2 a single operator performs comprehensive 3D vibration measurements across aircraft structures including wing tips, wing roots, fuselage, auxiliary power units, fuselage sections, and structural junctions.
The integrated RGB camera supports visual referencing of scanned areas, while autofocus and microscan capabilities ensure precise surface targeting and optimal signal quality. Automated focusing and scanning procedures reduce operator dependency and increase repeatability.
A typical full measurement campaign involving multiple aircraft positions can be completed in approximately eight acquisitions of fifteen minutes each, corresponding to roughly four hours, of total time around the aircraft.
Unit: full GVT coverage
A complete GVT campaign can be performed by repositioning a single Q2 unit at multiple locations around the aircraft.
The movable tripod configuration allows rapid relocation while maintaining metrology-grade accuracy.
The lightweight equipment design requires no time-consuming installation beyond tripod deployment, enabling streamlined operation in hangar environments.
All this allowed, thanks to the ultra-fast acquisition: between 65 and 25,600 points per second over a 360° sweep.
And, the Multi-point vibrometry: sampling at 40 kHz across 65 simultaneous points, with a velocity range of ±15.5 mm/s.
Ommatidia´s Q2 Laser Radar provides a contactless, easy to deploy alternative capable of capturing full 3D vibrometry and metrology data using a single mobile unit.
For large scale campaigns, additional Q2 units may be deployed to accelerate acquisition and enable simultaneous multi axis or multi location measurements.
Ommatidia Upgrade & Trade-In Program
Upgrade to Ommatidia’s latest Laser RADAR technology and unlock more capability for your next measurement challenge. Whether you are expanding an existing setup or replacing an older system, we offer tailored upgrade options with discounts of up to 40%.
If you are currently using another manufacturer’s system, send us your model and measurement requirements. We will review your trade-in possibilities, identify the best Ommatidia configuration, and outline a practical upgrade path for your team.
