Laser-Doppler measurement of crosswind velocity.

There is a need for the remote sensing of local wind velocities over distances of hundreds of meters, and laser-Doppler anemometry (LDA) has been suggested as a suitable measuring technique. In this paper the major features of an LDA system optimized for crosswind velocity measurements are presented. Computer programs based on Mie scattering theory are used to predict the performance of such systems and to extend the experimentally verified information to larger distances. A complete system for the measurement of the crosswind velocity component is described, and measurements up to 106 m verifying its performance and corresponding predictions are presented and discussed. Suggestions for further studies and developments are given.