Analysis of accuracy of measurement by Doppler laser meters

Abstract

We discuss the accuracy analysis of laser meters based on the Doppler effect and used in the measurement of automobile velocity. Usually, the systematic errors are assessed during calibration and are eliminated by instrumental means. Nevertheless, it is impossible to eliminate random errors. Their analysis is also important for such measurements, and this has been less extensively analyzed in scientific papers. A probabilistic method is used for error analysis assuming that only random errors are present. The accuracy of measurement by Doppler meters depends mostly on parameters of two kinds—laser source stabilization, measuring laser emission frequencies, and the errors in determining the emission speed in the atmosphere. Such analysis shows a value of the random error occurring during the measurement of automobile speed that also can be applied for assessment of other kinds of measurements of moving objects.