A methodology aimed at validating elastic-channel optical power return and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels estimated at the link-budget design stage of a tropospheric lidar against the measured ones is presented. A Rayleigh fit along with knowledge of the atmospheric aerosol transmittance and emission energy is used to theoretically estimate the net voltage responsivity. As a further refinement, when simultaneous analog and photon-counting acquisition is available, the method formulates a rough estimate of the optical losses in the receiving chain. Preliminary validation of the link-budget-assessed optical power and SNR levels for the 1064-nm channel of the Remote Sensing Lab. (RSLab) lidar is discussed. ; Peer Reviewed ; Postprint (published version)