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DOE OSTI · 1251389

Sonic Detection and Ranging (SODAR) Wind Profiler Instrument Handbook

Coulter, Richard L.·Muradyan, Paytsar
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Abstract

The SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging) wind profiler measures wind profiles and backscattered signal strength between (nominally) 15 meters (m) and 500 m. It operates by transmitting acoustic energy into the atmosphere and measuring the strength and frequency of backscattered energy. The strength of the backscattered signal is determined by the strength of temperature inhomogeneities with size on the order of 10 centimeters (cm). Assuming the scattering elements in the atmosphere are moving with the mean wind, the horizontal wind field can be derived. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility Mobile Facility (AMF) has a system developed by Scintec, Inc. that transmits a sequence of frequencies to enhance signal determination.

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17 WIND ENERGY54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESbackscattered energy, horizontal wind field, vertical wind speed, virtual temperature

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Coulter, Richard L., Muradyan, Paytsar. 2020-05-01. Sonic Detection and Ranging (SODAR) Wind Profiler Instrument Handbook. https://doi.org/10.2172/1251389

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