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<p>We present the state of the VAHCOLI (Vertical and Horizontal COverage by Lidar) project for investigating small- to large-scale processes in the atmosphere. In the future, an array of compact lidars with multiple fields of view will allow for measurements of temperatures, winds and aerosols with high temporal and vertical resolution.</p><p>Doppler lidars, in particular resonance Doppler lidars, with daylight capability are challenging systems because of the small field of view, spectral filtering and other additional subsystems required compared to observations at night. We developed a universal Doppler lidar platform (~1m<sup>3</sup>, ~500kg) with all required technologies for automatic operation. The system is capable of studying Mie scattering (aerosols), Rayleigh scattering (air molecules), and resonance fluorescence on free potassium atoms in the middle atmosphere from 5 km to 100 km. Unique spectral methods and narrowband optical components allow precise wind, temperature, and aerosol measurements by studying the Doppler shift and broadening of the scattered signals. The combination of cost-efficient design and fast assembling of such a system allows the construction of a Doppler lidar network with identical units</p><p>We will show the latest results and discuss the next scientific and technical steps for network operation and transferring the technology into industry.</p>

Doppler lidars with daylight capability are challenging systems because of the small field of view (FOV), spectral filtering, and other additional subsystems required compared to observations at night. A universal Doppler lidar platform with all the required technologies for automatic operation is assembled. By combining a novel narrow-bandwidth pulsed laser (FWHM ~3 MHz) and a matched interferometer (FWHM ~7.5 MHz) the backscattered signals from molecules and aerosols are separated into two channels within the receiver. By tuning the frequency of the pulsed laser from pulse to pulse with sub-MHz accuracy relative to the interferometer, Doppler-aerosol measurements with largely reduced Rayleigh-signal allow aerosol measurements from ground to ~25 km altitude, including Doppler-wind measurements from the Doppler-shift. The compact lidar (1m 3 ) is built for automatic 24/7 operation and comprises a novel diodepumped alexandrite ring-laser, a 50 cm-telescope and a receiver for solar background free aerosol measurements. The combination of cost-efficient design and fast assembling of such a system allows the construction of a Doppler lidar network with identical units. Such a network can address a wide range of horizontal and vertical scales.