Theoretical Performance of Airborne Coherent Doppler Lidar for Turbulence Detection Using Spectral Width Estimation of Heterodyne-Detected Signal

The theoretical performance of an airborne coherent Doppler lidar (CDL) for turbulence detections is shown. Irregular wind fluctuation, which causes aircraft vertical acceleration, is defined as turbulence. The detection method is based on spectral width estimation of a heterodyne-detected signal. The equations for simulation are derived by referring to the one for a Doppler radar. Performance theory on a CDL is additionally utilized to derive the equations. Probabilities of missed and false hazard indications are simulated with an example set of input parameters. The simulated turbulence detectable range roughly agrees with past experimental results. The contents of this article can contribute to the future establishment of minimum operational performance standards (MOPSs) for turbulence detection using an airborne CDL.