Axial Detection of Aircraft Wake Vortices Using Doppler Lidar

Abstract

The real-time detection of aircraft wake vortices has become an important part of studies aimed at increased runway productivity. A processing approach is presented, which has been used to detect wake vortices from an axial point of view with a Doppler lidar system. The performance of the processing approach is investigated using simulation techniques. In addition, the effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated using data from a series of wake vortex measurement experiments carried out at Toulouse airport in March 2000. Robust axial detection of wake vortices with a Doppler lidar system has been achieved at ranges between 400 m and 2 km. Sample results for Airbus A340- and Airbus A320-generated wake vortices are presented.