Atmospheric Remote Sensing
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.
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.
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.