A Multisodar Approach to Wind Profiling

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a multisodar mode from a five-beam sodar whereby a wind speed vector is found for sets of three acoustic beams. If the vertical beam is used, this mode enables the profiling of four wind speed measurements around the sodar. These multisodars can be used to investigate the spatial and temporal nature of winds in both flat and complex terrain. The spatial, temporal, and signal-to-noise qualities of the sodar signal in this mode are analyzed, and a metric for understanding the inhomogeneity of the atmosphere through cross-correlating opposing multisodars is developed. A driving factor for this work is developing the use of such sodar systems in complex terrain, where experimental measurements are traditionally difficult and expensive.