Finite aperture optical scintillometer for profiling wind and Cn2

Abstract

A new optical technique is described for measuring the path profiles of crosswind and of a refractive-index structure parameter C(2)(n) along a line-of-sight path. Different sizes of transmitters and receivers are used to control the path-weighting function so that it will peak at different path locations. Various linear combinations of these measurements yield the path profile of crosswind and C(2)(n). A prototype instrument has been built and tested. Experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical predictions.