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Lidar atmospheric wind detector

  • US 5,796,471 A
  • Filed: 09/18/1996
  • Issued: 08/18/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting and measuring wind speed, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) projecting a first laser beam from a moving airborne vehicle onto a first predetermined area when the airborne vehicle resides at a first airborne position;

    (b) projecting a second laser beam from a moving airborne vehicle onto the first predetermined area when the airborne vehicle has moved to a second airborne position;

    (c) receiving first and second backscattered laser light originating from the first and second laser beams, respectively, which light has been backscattered from at least one object moving within the first predetermined area;

    (d) calculating Doppler shifts in the first and second backscattered light and producing Doppler shift data therefrom representing components of Doppler shifting caused only by movement effects of the at least one object, and thus without movement effects of the airborne vehicle; and

    (e) calculating from the Doppler shift data a movement speed of the at least one object, and thus wind speed of wind carrying the at least one object.

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