Design and validation of a shipborne multiple-field-of-view lidar for upper ocean remote sensing

Abstract

The oceanic lidar, which has the advantage of profiling the properties of the upper ocean, is a promising active remote sensing tool for complementing the passive ocean color remote sensing in the three-dimensional observation of ocean. This paper introduces the design and validation of a shipborne multiple-field-of-view (MFOV) lidar. With the input of simultaneous in situ data, the lidar signals and the retrieved lidar attenuation coefficient α are validated quantitatively using simulation results. The simulation methods include quasi-single-scattering lidar equation, Monte Carlo (MC) method, and analytical model. The experimental lidar signals are consistent with the simulated lidar signals with coefficient of determination R2>0.91, and α retrieved from experimental lidar signals corresponds well with the simulated values with root mean square (RMS) of relative error δ<0.18. The results at different field of view (FOV) indicate the relationship between the beam attenuation coefficient c, diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd, and α. This work is beneficial to the research on the mechanism, retrieval and application of oceanic lidar.