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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