The development of a PSD-based precision measurement and control system for wind tunnel

The purpose of this research is to develop a low cost optical angular precision measurement and control system for low-level wind tunnel facilities, such as many used in universities. A low cost laser and PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) sensor are used to receive precise results from the designed rotation platform of the testing model. The measuring system mainly consists of Laser and PSD. From exquisite PSD position data, the axis-rotation of the model can be precisely obtained. Meanwhile, through the automatic control program which developed in this research, the attitude of testing object could accordingly and precisely kept at the desired angle, hence the and reliability and repeatability of experiments will be promised. Finally, wind tunnel testing verified this system is feasible with an angular error less than 0.23°. The system would enhance the accuracy of the existing low-level wind tunnel facilities which applied in various engineering fields.