A parallel digital processor system for particle image velocimetry

A high-speed, high-resolution, digital computer-based interrogation system for particle image velocimetry (PIV) has been developed. It utilizes advanced parallel array processing technology to achieve computational speeds comparable to those of current supercomputers, and high-resolution image acquisition equipment to achieve the data input rates necessary for high-speed analysis of PIV images. Advanced cross correlation techniques are incorporated into the algorithm, which take advantage of the high-speed capabilities and improve the quality of the measurements. The architecture, algorithms, and performance characteristics of the system are described.