22nd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Harrogate, UK, 28 August - 1st September, 2000
Paper ICAS 2000-P2.6
THE ARA SECOND-GENERATION ESP SYSTEM
M. G. Lambourne
Aircraft Research Association Ltd., UK
Keywords: esp scanners, data acquisition
The Aircraft Research Association (ARA) has
been using electronically scanned pressure
(ESP) sensors in its Transonic Wind Tunnel
(TWT) for the last decade. These scanners have
now largely replaced mechanically scanned
pressure transducers (ScanivalveTM) in tests at
ARA, with acquisition times measured in
milliseconds rather than seconds. This has made
a significant contribution to wind tunnel
productivity allowing continuous model motion
during pressure measuring tests.
The first-generation ESP data acquisition
system implemented at ARA has served the
company well for many years. It however
suffered from a number of operational
deficiencies. ARA has now used its
considerable experience with ESP sensors to
design and manufacture its second-generation
ESP data acquisition system.
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