DFLDA-a miniaturized, mobile laser Doppler anemometer

A laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) has been developed which combines the compactness and low power consumption of laser diodes and avalanche photodiodes with the flexibility and possibility of miniaturization using fiber optic probes. The system, diode fiber LDA, (DFLDA) is especially suited for mobile applications, for instance in trains, airplanes, or automobiles. Optimization of fiber optic probes is considered, and several probe examples are described. Measurement results from two typical applications are given to illustrate the use of the DFLDA. A number of future configurations of the DFLDA concept are discussed