Atmospheric Remote Sensing
Examples of dual-Doppler retrieval of surface layer flow over Oklahoma City. (Left) horizontal velocity vectors, and (Right) the corresponding streamwise component. The retrievals were performed using data from lidars owned and operated by Arizona State University and the Army Research Laboratory.
Our expert ability to perform atmospheric remote sensing allows us to monitor wind patterns and atmospheric changes for long periods of time. This ability is otherwise impossible when using surface-based or balloon-borne sensors. When equipped with this data, we are able to better predict atmospheric changes and ultimately improve forecasting.
Examples of remote sensing instruments include active sensors such as radar and Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), as well as passive sensors like microwave radiometers and fourier transform interferometers.
The buoy-mounted Vindicator III Doppler lidar.
Two of ARM's Ground-based Streamline Doppler lidars.
We use different types of coherent Doppler lidar because their flexibility and lower cost make them a viable alternative to instrumented towers used by the wind energy industry. Our extensive experience in the use of coherent Doppler lidar and lidar algorithm development currently allows us to operate nine ground-based scanning systems for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Climate Research Facility, and two buoy-mounted profiling systems for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Shore-based dual-Doppler lidar measurement of offshore winds.
Example of dual-Doppler lidar retrievals using the ARM Doppler lidars.
Our scientists explore advanced applications using multiple Doppler lidar systems. Dual- and multi-Doppler lidar techniques enable 3D mapping of 3-component wind fields through the depth of the atmospheric boundary layer and terrain where other more traditional profiling methods have difficulty.