title: Optical fiber-based laser remote sensor for airborne measurement of wind velocity and turbulence.
abstract: We discuss an optical fiber-based continuous-wave coherent laser system for measuring the wind speed in undisturbed air ahead of an aircraft. The operational principles of the instrument are described, and estimates of performance are presented. The instrument is demonstrated as a single line of sight, and data from the inaugural test flight of August 2010 is presented. The system was successfully operated under various atmospheric conditions, including cloud and clear air up to 12 km (40,300 ft).
authors.affiliation: National Center for Atmospheric Research, Earth Observing Laboratory, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, Colorado 80307-3000, USA. spuler@ucar.edu
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Spuler
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Spowart
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rieken