a method for measuring the direction and velocity of a target in a measurement volume in a laser doppler velocimetry system includes selecting a discrete number of grating positions for an electrically switchable grating , placing the electrically switchable grating in a light path of a laser source . the laser source outputs a laser beam along the light path . the method further includes switching the electrically switchable grating sequentially through the discrete number of grating positions at a grating frequency to generate diffracted light beams from the laser , directing the diffracted light beams through a lens , focusing the diffracted light beams on a measurement volume , passing a target through the measurement volume in a target direction at a target velocity and receiving scattered light in a detector and calculating the power spectrum of light intensity fluctuations . the power spectrum includes a maximum peak . the maximum peak occurs at a frequency shifted from the grating frequency an amount corresponding to the target velocity and in a direction corresponding to the target direction . a laser doppler velocimetry system for measuring the direction and velocity of a target in a measurement volume is also disclosed .