scope:

Purpose.

Coast Guard personnel use information from a series of documents to select optical systems for lighted aids to navigation. This manual collects and collates into one reference the latest scientific theory and methods involved with the generation of visual light signals, the transmission of these signals through the atmosphere, and the detection of these signals by mariners. This manual:

* Discusses the theory of visual signaling;

* Explains how to select optics for lighted aids to navigation;

* Explains how to evaluate the performance of existing optical systems;

* Explains methods of calculating effective intensity; and

* Provides example calculations to demonstrate the processes discussed.