Detection of Range-Folded Returns in Doppler Lidar Observations

Abstract

Doppler lidars with a high pulse repetition frequency are susceptible to range ambiguities from clouds and other distant targets with large backscatter. These range ambiguities degrade the quality of wind profiles and other calculated or retrieved variables. Here, a technique to detect and remove range-folded returns from the moment observations is proposed and described. A simplified method of removing erroneous wind observations from range-folded returns is also detailed. Through detection and removal of range-folded echoes, the quality and accuracy of wind profiles are shown to improve.