Sonic anemometer data processing for comparison to optical turbulence theory and simulation

Abstract

With appropriate processing techniques, sonic anemometry can provide useful insights into the strength and spectral shape of optical turbulence. Closed form propagation models and simulations require stationary optical turbulence statistics to make a meaningful comparison with experimental results. This work presents a new approach for examining the stationarity of data provided by sonic anemometry and by fitting optical turbulence parameters. Von Kármán, Greenwood–Tarazano, and one minus exponential spectral models are fitted to experimental data. Each model fit is evaluated using information criteria. The Greenwood–Tarazano model is shown to provide the best fit to experimental data. Optical turbulence parameters from the Greenwood–Tarazano model are compared with results from instruments at varying heights above the ground.