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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Wind-Driven Angular Dependence of Sea-Surface Reflectance Measured with an Airborne Doppler Lidar

The effects of wind-stress on the optical properties of the ocean surface have been studied for several decades. In particular, the classic study by Cox and Munk (1954) linking sea-surface wind field to wave slope statistics provides a phenomenology by which the sea-surface wind velocity can be estimated from direct measurement of the wave-modulated surface reflectance. A limited number of studies along these lines have been conducted using airborne or spaceborne lidar systems. In these instances, truthing was provided by in situ ship reports or satellite microwave remote sensing instruments (e.g., ERS scatterometer, SSM/I). During the second deployment of the MACAWS Doppler wind lidar in the summer of 1996 measurements of sea-surface reflectance as a function of azimuth- and nadir-viewing angles were acquired off the California coast. MACAWS data products include directly measured winds, as well as calibrated backscatter/reflectance profiles, thus enabling comparison of the winds inferred from sea-surface reflectance measurements with those deriving from the Doppler-processed direct line-of-sight (LOS) estimates. Additional validation data was extracted from the ERS and SSM/I satellite microwave sensor archives maintained by the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO- DAAC).

Tratt, David M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Experimental and theoretical Doppler-lidar signatures of aircraft wake vortices

The DFVLR laser Doppler anemometer is a CO2 continuous wave homodyne system designed for boundary layer wind measurements. During the last three years, it was mainly used in the wake-vortex program at Frankfurt airport for determination of vortex strength, transport, and lifetime. The strategy for that special type of measurement was previously reported in detail along with single experimental results. Therefore, herein is given a short summary of the data concerning questions of air traffic control. In addition to the experimental activities a computer model describing wake-vortex behavior was installed. It allows the comparison of the measured data with the hydrodynamically predicted quantities. On the other hand, it leads to an improved procedure for future wake-vortex measurements.

Koepp, F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ultraviolet-excimer laser-based incoherent Doppler lidar system

The topics covered include the following: principles of Doppler measurements, laser backscatter, eye safety, demonstration concepts, the wavelength-meter, the interferometer detector, return signal model, and comparison of incoherent and coherent lidars.

Mcdermid, I. Stuart↗
NASA NTRS2004

Characteristics and Trade-Offs of Doppler Lidar Global Wind Profiling

Accurate, global profiling of wind velocity is highly desired by NASA, NOAA, the DOD/DOC/NASA Integrated Program Office (IPO)/NPOESS, DOD, and others for many applications such as validation and improvement of climate models, and improved weather prediction. The most promising technology to deliver this measurement from space is Doppler Wind Lidar (DWL). The NASA/NOAA Global Tropospheric Wind Sounder (GTWS) program is currently in the process of generating the science requirements for a space-based sensor. In order to optimize the process of defining science requirements, it is important for the scientific and user community to understand the nature of the wind measurements that DWL can make. These measurements are very different from those made by passive imaging sensors or by active radar sensors. The purpose of this paper is to convey the sampling characteristics and data product trade-offs of an orbiting DWL.

Kavaya, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

The impact of Doppler lidar wind observations on a single-level meteorological analysis

Through the use of observation operators, modern data assimilation systems have the capability to ingest observations of quantities that are not themselves model variables, but are mathematically related to those variables. An example of this are the so-called LOS (line of sight) winds that a Doppler wind Lidar can provide. The model - or data assimilation system - needs information about both components of the horizontal wind vectors, whereas the observations in this case only provide the projection of the wind vector onto a given direction. The analyzed value is then calculated essentially based on a comparison between the observation itself and the model-simulated value of the observed quantity. However, in order to assess the expected impact of such an observing system, it is important to examine the extent to which a meteorological analysis can be constrained by the LOS winds. The answer to this question depends on the fundamental character of the atmospheric flow fields that are analyzed, but more importantly it also depends on the real and assumed error covariance characteristics of these fields. A single-level wind analysis system designed to explore these issues has been built at the NASA Data Assimilation Office. In this system, simulated wind observations can be evaluated in terms of their impact on the analysis quality under various assumptions about their spatial distribution and error characteristics and about the error covariance of the background fields. The basic design of the system will be presented along with experimental results obtained with it. In particular, the value of simultaneously measuring LOS winds along two different directions for a given location will be discussed.

Riishojgaard, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Frequency Swept Diode-pumped Single Frequency TM,Ho:YLiF Laser for spaceborne Doppler Lidar

Optical heterodyne experiments involving the photomixing of two single frequency, deode-pumped thulium holmium yttrium lithium flouride lasers are described. Operated in external frquency stabilization loops, the lasers exhibit 1MHz short term stability, and are photomixed and offset-locked at 140 MHz. Summation of sine wave modulation onto the PZT control voltage on one laser results in frequency swept operation over a continuous tuning range of 160 MHz.

Doppler Lidar Optical heterodyne experiments↗
NASA NTRS1991

Coherent Doppler lidar for automated space vehicle, rendezvous, station-keeping and capture

Recent advances in eye-safe, short wavelength solid-state lasers offer real potential for the development of compact, reliable, light-weight, efficient coherent lidar. Laser diode pumping of these devices has been demonstrated, thereby eliminating the need for flash lamp pumping, which has been a major drawback to the use of these lasers in space based applications. Also these lasers now have the frequency stability required to make them useful in coherent lidar, which offers all of the advantages of non-coherent lidar, but with the additional advantage that direct determination of target velocity is possible by measurement of the Doppler shift. By combining the Doppler velocity measurement capability with the inherent high angular resolution and range accuracy of lidar it is possible to construct Doppler images of targets for target motion assessment. A coherent lidar based on a Tm,Ho:YAG 2-micrometer wavelength laser was constructed and successfully field tested on atmospheric targets in 1990. This lidar incorporated an all solid state (laser diode pumped) master oscillator, in conjunction with a flash lamp pumped slave oscillator. Solid-state laser technology is rapidly advancing, and with the advent of high efficiency, high power, semiconductor laser diodes as pump sources, all-solid-state, coherent lidars are a real possibility in the near future. MSFC currently has a feasibility demonstration effort under way which will involve component testing, and preliminary design of an all-solid-state, coherent lidar for automatic rendezvous, and capture. This two year effort, funded by the Director's Discretionary Fund is due for completion in 1992.

Dunkin, James A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Combined 2-micron Dial and Doppler Lidar: Application to the Atmosphere of Earth or Mars

A concept is explored for combining the Doppler and DIAL techniques into a single, multifunctional instrument. Wind, CO2 concentration, and aerosol density can all be measured. Technology to build this instrument is described, including the demonstration of a prototype lidar. Applications are described for use in the Earth science. The atmosphere of Mars can also be studied, and results from a recently-developed simulation model of performance in the Martian atmosphere are presented.

Singh, Upendra N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Airborne Doppler lidar detection of wind shear. Results of performance analysis

Results of a performance analysis of an airborne Doppler radar wind shear detection system are given in vugraph form. It was concluded that both CO sub 2 and Ho:YAG lasers are feasible for dry microburst applications, but with limited performance in wet microbursts. The Ho:YAG performs better than the CO sub 2 for a set of identical lidar parameters.

Huffaker, R. Milton↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analysis of Doppler lidar wind measurements

New analysis methods were developed and refined for the synthesis of wind fields from multiple Doppler radar data. Considerable software was written and debugged for wind field synthesis. The analysis methods were applied to radar data collected during the CCOPE experiment in which lidar wind measurements were also made. The analysis method differs from existing methods in that interpolation (using filters with assigned weights) and advection of data, to account for time differential between data acquisition at different points, are not used. Instead, functional fits were used in space and time coordinates to transfer radial velocity data to a space-time grid. Subsequently the wind synthesis is performed. This method gives better space resolution in the synthesized winds, compared to other methods in common use, by better preserving the gradients of velocities. The wind fields show the cellular structure characteristic of boundary-layer convection. Also evident in the analysis are the sharp transitions and gradients in the wind field which were preserved by the synthesis.

Srivastava, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Doppler lidar signal and turbulence study

Wind fields were measured with the ground-based NASA/MSFC lidar are compared with the in situ NASA RB-57 aircraft measurements. The mean wind fields, the turbulence intensities, and the turbulence spectra determined from measurements by both systems are in very good agreement. Turbulence intensities and spectra were calculated from the fluctuations with time in the radial wind speed component. The second moment or Doppler frequency spectral width of the lidar measurements was also compared with turbulence intensities measured by the aircraft. These second moments could only be resolved at the very low altitudes (in three range bins). Turbulence intensities estimated from the spectral width data were an order of magnitude higher than those measured by the aircraft. An interesting boundary layer evolved during the progress of the experiment. The breakup of a stable boundary layer resulted in winds blowing in one direction above 600 m msl and in the opposite direction below that level. Both the aircraft and the lidar systems clearly identified this unusual boundary layer flow and showed the identical trends.

Frost, W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Doppler lidar wind measurement with the edge technique

The edge technique is a new and powerful method for measuring small frequency shifts. Range resolved lidar measurements of winds can be made with high accuracy and high vertical resolution using the edge technique to measure the Doppler shift of an atmospheric backscattered signal from a pulsed laser. The edge technique can be used at near-infrared or visible wavelengths using well developed solid state lasers and detectors with various edge filters. In the edge technique, the laser frequency is located on the steep slope of the spectral response function of a high resolution optical filter. Due to the steep slope of the edge, very small frequency shifts cause large changes in measured signal. The frequency of the outgoing laser pulse is determined by measuring its location on the edge of the filter. This is accomplished by sending a small portion of the beam to the edge detection setup where the incoming light is split into two channels - an edge filter and an energy monitor channel. The energy monitor signal is used to normalize the edge filter signal for magnitude. The laser return backscattered from the atmosphere is collected by a telescope and directed through the edge detection setup to determine its frequency (location on the edge) in a similar manner for each range element. The Doppler shift, and thus the wind, is determined from a differential measurement of the frequency of the outgoing laser pulse and the frequency of the laser return backscattered from the atmosphere. We have conducted simulations of the performance of an edge lidar system using an injection seeded pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns. The central fringe of a Fabry-Perot etalon is used as a high resolution edge filter to measure the shift of the aerosol return.

Korb, C. Laurence↗
NASA NTRS1989

High resolution Doppler lidar

A high resolution lidar system was implemented to measure winds in the lower atmosphere. The wind speed along the line of sight was determined by measuring the Doppler shift of the aerosol backscattered laser signal. The system in its present configuration is stable, and behaves as indicated by theoretical simulations. This system was built to demonstrate the capabilities of the detector system as a prototype for a spaceborne lidar. The detector system investigated consisted of a plane Fabry-Perot etalon, and a 12-ring anode detector. This system is generically similar to the Fabry-Perot interferometer developed for passive wind measurements on board the Dynamics Explorer satellite. That this detector system performs well in a lidar configuration was demonstrated.

Abreu, Vincent J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

2-Micron Coherent Doppler Lidar Instrument Advancements for Tropospheric Wind Measurement

Knowledge derived from global tropospheric wind measurement is an important constituent of our overall understanding of climate behavior [1]. Accurate weather prediction saves lives and protects properties from destructions. High-energy 2-micron laser is the transmitter of choice for coherent Doppler wind detection. In addition to the eye-safety, the wavelength of the transmitter suitably matches the aerosol size in the lower troposphere. Although the technology of the 2-micron laser has been maturing steadily, lidar derived wind data is still a void in the global weather database. In the last decade, researchers at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) have been engaged in this endeavor, contributing to the scientific database of 2-micron lidar transmitters. As part of this effort, an in depth analysis of the physics involved in the workings of the Ho: Tm laser systems have been published. In the last few years, we have demonstrated lidar transmitter with over1Joule output energy. In addition, a large body of work has been done in characterizing new laser materials and unique crystal configurations to enhance the efficiency and output energy of the 2-micron laser systems. At present 2-micron lidar systems are measuring wind from both ground and airborne platforms. This paper will provide an overview of the advancements made in recent years and the technology maturity levels attained.

Petros, Mulugeta↗
NASA NTRS1998

Double-Edge Molecular Technique for Doppler Lidar Wind Measurement

The double-edge lidar technique for measuring the wind using molecular backscatter is described. Two high spectral resolution edge filters are located in the wings of the Rayleigh-Brillouin profile. This doubles the signal change per unit Doppler shift, the sensitivity, and gives nearly a factor of two improvement in measurement accuracy. The use of a crossover region is described where the sensitivity of a molecular and aerosol-based measurement are equal. This desensitizes the molecular measurement to the effects of aerosol scattering over a frequency range of +/- 100 m/s. We give methods for correcting for short-term frequency jitter and drift using a laser reference frequency measurement and methods for long-term frequency correction using a servo control system. The effects of Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering on the measurement are shown to be significant and are included in the analysis. Simulations for a conical scanning satellite-based lidar at 355 nm show an accuracy of 2-3 m/s for altitudes of 2 to 15 km for a 1 km vertical resolution, a satellite altitude of 400 km and a 200 km x 200 km spatial resolution. Results of ground based wind measurements are presented.

Flesia, Cristina↗
NASA NTRS1999

Direct Detection Doppler Lidar for Spaceborne Wind Measurement

The theory of double edge lidar techniques for measuring the atmospheric wind using aerosol and molecular backscatter is described. Two high spectral resolution filters with opposite slopes are located about the laser frequency for the aerosol based measurement or in the wings of the Rayleigh - Brillouin profile for the molecular measurement. This doubles the signal change per unit Doppler shift and improves the measurement accuracy by nearly a factor of 2 relative to the single edge technique. For the aerosol based measurement, the use of two high resolution edge filters reduces the effects of background, Rayleigh scattering, by as much as an order of magnitude and substantially improves the measurement accuracy. Also, we describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined. A measurement accuracy of 1.2 m/s can be obtained for a signal level of 1000 detected photons which corresponds to signal levels in the boundary layer. For the molecular based measurement, we describe the use of a crossover region where the sensitivity of a molecular and aerosol-based measurement are equal. This desensitizes the molecular measurement to the effects of aerosol scattering and greatly simplifies the measurement. Simulations using a conical scanning spaceborne lidar at 355 nm give an accuracy of 2-3 m/s for altitudes of 2-15 km for a 1 km vertical resolution, a satellite altitude of 400 km, and a 200 km x 200 km spatial.

Korb, C. Laurence↗