Universal PDV System for Wind Tunnel Tests

"We propose a versatile and affordable Planar Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system for wind tunnel measurements capable of simultaneously measuring velocity, pressure, and temperature everywhere in the field of view. The system expands upon our recentexperience where a PDV system was used to demonstrate the first successful measurements of spatially and temporally resolved, three-dimensional, velocity vector fields in the blade wakes of a full-scale, operating rotor. A PC-based software included withthe PDV system will incorporate advanced and experimentally validated algorithms to fully accommodate the time-dependent aerodynamic flows, and will provide near-autonomous processing procedures and image displays with the minimum requirements for operatorexpertise and training. The tasks described in this proposal are essential steps leading to a universal PDV system that can be routinely applied to wind tunnel aerodynamics testing programs, and subsequently commercialized. The impact of advances in PDVtechnology and its subsequent transfer to future aerodynamic testing programs will be substantial. This expectation is particularly relevant to testing programs for large and full-scale wind tunnel aircraft and missile models because many aspects of flowfield aerodynamics are not thoroughly understood nor adequately predictable, due in part to the lack of detailed measurement capabilities. The availability of advanced PDV instrumentation will a