An LES-based airborne Doppler lidar simulator for investigation of wind profiling in inhomogeneous flow conditions | CU Experts

Abstract. Wind profiling by Doppler lidar is common practice and highly useful in a wide range of applications. Airborne observations can provide additional insights to ground-based systems by allowing for spatially resolved and targeted measurements. This study prepares the ground for an upcoming airborne Doppler lidar system by investigating the measurement process theoretically. To evaluate the future system characteristics and measurement accuracy, a first LES-based airborne Doppler lidar simulator (ADLS) has been developed. The accuracy of retrieved wind profiles under inhomogeneous flow conditions in the boundary layer is investigated. In general, when using reasonable system setups, wind profiling is possible with acceptable error margins. Results allow for determination of preferential system setups and wind profiling strategies. Under the conditions considered, flow inhomogeneities exert the dominant influence on wind profiling error. In comparison, both the errors caused by random radial velocity fluctuations due to laser system noise and beam pointing inaccuracy due to system vibrations are of smaller magnitude. Airborne Doppler lidar wind profiling at low wind speeds (;

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