Abstract

A Lidar simulation computer program and associated atmospheric spectral databases have been developed which simulate the laser remote sensing of the atmosphere and the system performance of a direct-detection Lidar or tunable Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system. This simulation program allows the use of several large atmospheric spectral databases (HITRAN, BACKSCAT) to be coupled with Lidar parameters to provide a real-time and interactive design tool for atmospheric Lidar simulation and modeling. The overall program, LIDAR-PC, can be used for a range of different Lidar simulations and these results compared to experimental Lidar data to determine the range-resolved attenuation coefficient of the atmosphere and the effect of the telescope overlap factor. The software and databases operate on an IBM-PC or compatible computer platform (Windows or Windows 95 Operating System).

© 1997 Optical Society of America