Estimation of the cross-wind speed from turbulent fluctuations of the image of a diffuse target illuminated by a laser beam

The article presents an optical method for assessing the transverse wind, based on the analysis of turbulent distortions of the image of a diffuse target illuminated by a laser beam. The proposed correlation algorithm for processing video images allows one to assess in real time the crosswind speed using one receiving lens when the target is illuminated in the visible or infrared range. An experimental check of the method on the atmospheric path has been carried out. The optical estimates of the integral wind are compared with the data of independent local measurements of six ultrasonic anemometers located along the sensing path.