A real time microcontroller-based clipped auto- and cross-correlator with applications in LTV

摘要

An inexpensive and versatile correlator for quasi-real-time processing in laser transit velocimetry (LTV) is presented. The signals delivered by the photomultipliers are clipped before processing, thus allowing for the calculation of correlation values through logical operations. The second signal is shifted within an appropriately configured shift register. Control and timing signals are produced by software and directed to individual components of the system through appropriate memory-mapped latches. Thus, the programmer has easy access in the configuration and the operation of the device, which can be modified by software. The whole device is controlled by an INTEL 8396 microcontroller and can be easily interfaced to personal computers.