Design methodology of a ceilometer lidar prototype

This article presents step-by-step applied methodology to design a 905-nm 5-kHz rep. rate diode-laser biaxial lidar ceilometer prototype beginning from the definition of initial specs, and related trade-offs to the first measurement tests. It is shown how key variables such as the received and background power, the range-dependent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the integration time, and the overlap factor have been simulated and analysed by means of parameter tuning inside acceptable state-of-the-art goal intervals. Main emission and reception subsystems as well as some auxiliary mechanical subsystems (adjustment parts and protection/subjection) are discussed. Finally, preliminary test measurements on topographic targets and storm clouds carried out with the ceilometer prototype are presented. Future improvements and trade-offs are also discussed.