A correlation computer and applications to radio propagation

Correlation functions of data, such as fading radio signals or temperature-and humidity fluctuations of the atmosphere, offer a powerful tool for analysis. By conventional methods, computation of these functions is long and tedious. Thi paper describes a computer which was constructed for this purpose. The data to be studied are transcribed onto magnetic tapes. These tapes are then run through a computer which computes the auto- or cross-correlation functions, and plots the resulting function through a recording meter. An example of the application of this computer to the study of the turbulence of the atmosphere is shown.