Eye-Safe, Pseudo-Random-Pulse-Code, CW Lidar for Atmospheric Wind-Profile Measurement

A remote sensing, atmospheric lidar wind profiler is described that has 1 m/s accuracy and 50 m resolution and is both eye-safe and cost effective. Wind profiling by Doppler lidar has been shown to be feasible, but commercially available systems that are reliable, affordable, and suitable for automatic operation have not yet been developed. This development consists of employing in combination the edge filter-technique of Korb, Gentry and Weng and the pseudo- random coding technique described by Rall, Abshire and Manizade and by Takeuchi, et al. This work will demonstrate that the two techniques can be used in combination if the demodulated edge filter output is normalized with a separately demodulated aerosol return. The objective of the work is to validate the system concept and create an implementation plan for an experimental field demonstration. System modeling and experimental testing of critical components and subsystem concepts is needed. The result of the work will be a baseline design for a cw wind lidar system that meets all requirements. The successful development of a cost effective wind profiler lidar will result in significant numbers of such instruments being manufactured for use in general and aviation specific meteorological, and pollution transport applications.