Aero-optic analyses of anisotropic turbulent boundary layer by direct integration

Aero-optic aberrations that effect optical sensor performance and laser beam propagation, can be caused by changes in the index-of-refraction field as the optical wave traverses a compressible non-uniform, turbulent flowfield. Mean flowfield non-uniformities cause bore sight error and blurring and, if the mean flowfield is unsteady, jitter. Turbulence causes blurring and high frequency jitter. Blurring also causes the signal-to-noise ratio to decrease and image distortion, and adversely affects centroid location for precision tracking. The objective of this study is to develop an unified approach for whole-field aero-optics prediction using hybrid LES/RANS (Large Eddy Simulation/Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes) turbulence modeling in combination with a newly formulated optical Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). The whole field turbulence includes the near-vehicle boundary layer mean and turbulence, as well as far-field atmospheric turbulence. A flat plate compressible boundary layer case is used to demonstrate the methodology. the abstract two lines below author names and addresses.