Comparative analysis of the performance of laser Doppler systems using maximum likelihood and phase increment methods

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the errors of two alternative methods of estimating the central frequency of signals of laser Doppler systems, one of which is based on the maximum likelihood criterion and the other on the so-called pulse-pair technique. Using computer simulation, the standard deviations of the Doppler signal frequency from its true values are determined for both methods and plots of the ratios of these deviations as a measure of the accuracy gain of one of them are constructed. The results can be used by developers of appropriate systems to choose an optimal algorithm of signal processing based on a compromise between the accuracy and speed of the systems as well as the labor intensity of calculations.