Resonance fluorescence Doppler lidars using Doppler shift and spectral broadening effects are the principal instruments to simulta- neously measure wind and temperature in the middle atmosphere. Such lidars demand high accuracy, precision, and stability of the laser optical frequency. Current resonance Doppler lidars suffer various problems in frequency stabilization that limit their locking precision and stability. We have addressed these problems by developing a LabVIEW®-based la- ser frequency locking system. This new system utilizes wavelength- modulation and phase-sensitive-detection techniques in conjunction with a proportional-integral-derivative feedback servo loop. It achieves better than ±1-MHz locking precision and stability over 1 h. The system also remains locked throughout a series of abrupt disturbance tests. Owing to its high locking precision, immunity to electronic and laser noise, reliabil- ity, and flexibility in adapting for various systems, we believe that this new system represents a marked improvement in resonance Doppler lidar technology. © 2008 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation