Applications of the real-time data analysis system in the Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel
The first major overhaul and refurbishment of the Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel since it was put into operation in 1944 was recently completed. A substantial part of this refurbishment was devoted to providing this wind tunnel with a modern real time data acquisition and analysis system to increase the safety, efficiency, and accuracy of experimental investigations in this facility. Background leading to the requirements for the new system, major elements of the system, and some of the applications of the system are summarized. The potential of computerized data acquisition systems for wind tunnels in terms of long term trends in hardware and software costs, and the constraints which must be dealt with to achieve the full potential of computerized data acquisition systems are discussed.