Implementation of a LabVIEW-based automated wind tunnel instrumentation system

Wind tunnel testing is fundamental for understanding the aerodynamic response and performance of space/road vehicles during the design process. The measurement and control applications for wind tunnel testing typically include the wind speed measurement and control; static and dynamic force measurement, pressure profile measurement; and position and motion control for orienting the model with respect to the wind direction. These applications are repetitive as well as time consuming hence needs to be automated. This paper presents the implementation aspects of a reliable and accurate LabVIEW-based automated wind tunnel instrumentation system. The implemented system permits the aerodynamic measurements to be performed efficiently and without intervention. Most importantly, it relieves the operator of the usual responsibility for manually controlling the position and orientation of the model as well as the need to manually set the desired wind speed for the test. The system has been implemented at National Wind Tunnel Facility, IIT Kanpur using virtual instrumentation technique and PXI architecture which enhances the productivity and reduces the cost through easy-to-integrate LabVIEW-based application software and PXI modular hardware. However, the system presented in this paper has been configured for automated wind tunnel testing, but can also be easily configured to perform various test and measurement functions automatically for aerospace/military, bio-medical, process control, and robotics applications.