REMOTE-SENSING OF ATMOSPHERIC WIND VELOCITIES USING SOLID-STATE AND CO2 COHERENT LASER SYSTEMS

Coherent lidar/laser radar systems have been used for the remote measu rement of atmospheric wind velocity since 1966. Both CW ana pulsed coh erent lidars have been developed and applied to a variety of ground-ba sed and airborne applications. In recent years, most efforts have conc entrated on pulsed CO2 and solid-state Doppler lidars for the remote m easurement of atmospheric wind velocities. Issues associated with the design and application of coherent lidars to atmospheric wind measurem ent are discussed. Coherent lidar/laser radar systems have been applie d to detection and tracking of aircraft wake vortices, measurement of atmospheric wind fields during the space shuttle takeoff and landing, airborne windshear detection, ground-based airport microburst windshea r monitoring, meteorological research, and environmental monitoring. N umerous examples of measurement results are presented. An assessment o f the status of coherent lidar technology as practical devices for ope rational and research uses is addressed.