SODARS (SOnic Detection and Ranging)

• Sodars work in a very similar manner as the Profiler/RASS system.  They send out acoustic waves and measure it's Doppler shifted frequency to determine the three dimensional wind field.  However, the data is only collected in the lowest 100-200 meters.  Hence, it only gives detailed information in the lowest part of the boundary layer (surface layer).  
• Recall that profilers do not provide good data near the surface.  Hence, SODARS were developed to fill in the data gap near the surface.  
• They are used primarily by the research community when studying the boundary layer.

• The resolution of SODAR data is very good.  Here is an example.
• UAH has a SODAR as part of the MIPS System