A new method for evaluating errors in high-frequency ADV measurements

Abstract

The acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) measures three-dimensional velocities in a small, remote sampling volume at high frequencies, however, these measurements incorporate errors that are intrinsic to the measurement technique. This paper demonstrates a new method for calculating the total measurement errors, including sampling errors, Doppler noise and errors due to velocity shear in the sampling volume associated with single-point ADV measurements. This procedure incorporates both the effects of instrument configuration and the distribution of errors between velocity components for any probe orientation. It is shown that the ADV can characterize turbulent velocity fluctuations at frequencies up to the maximum sampling rate and that Reynolds shear stress errors are very small. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.