Improved Calibration of Sensors and Instruments used for Measurement of High Speed Flow

The Air Force is looking to improve calibration capabilities for instruments that measure flow and structure behavior in high speed airflows. Of particular interest is the flow regime where aerothermal effects are present, generally at speeds of Mach 5 and higher. High frequency oscillations in the incoming airflow are critical to the flow development around the vehicle so improved calibration for instruments capable of making measurements up to several MHz are of high interest. While current and next generation sensors and instruments may have the ability to measure various parameters of interest for characterizing airflow and structural responses, understanding these measurements and relating them properly to physics-based models depends on accurate instrument calibration throughout the measurement period. Furthermore, with the selection of available sensors increasing as advances are made to bring concepts through the laboratory and into the commercial market, there is a need to have a comprehensive approach to calibration that involves capturing commonalities while having the flexibility of addressing each sensor’s unique aspects.