Wavy structure of liquid film in downward annular gas liquid flow is studied with high-speed laser-induced fluorescence technique. Film thickness measurements are resolved in both longitudinal distance and time with high spatial and temporal resolution. A method is developed to identify the characteristic lines of individual disturbance waves. Change of frequency of disturbance waves with downstream distance is modelled based on the obtained distributions of the disturbance waves by velocity and separation time. Using obtained characteristic lines further investigation of ripples' properties is performed in reference system moving with the disturbance wave. As a result, velocities, amplitudes and frequencies of ripples are measured with relation to the distance from disturbance waves. Fast ripples travelling over crests of disturbance waves and slow ripples travelling over back slopes of disturbance waves and over the base film are studied separately. Besides, the average length of crest and back slope of disturbance waves were measured. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.