Theoretical and Experimental Studies of the Correlation Characteristics of Signals Reflected by a Rotating Propeller

The paper studies the features of the cross-correlation function of a chirp signal reflected from a rotating propeller with an emitted replica signal. In the obtained correlation function, in addition to the main peak corresponding to the propagation time of the signal to the scatterer and back, additional informative maxima are observed in the form of multiplets, the presence of which is determined by sound scattered by the rotating propeller. The parameters of the additional maxima depend on the diffuser characteristics (distance to the propeller, its rotation rate, number of blades, orientation relative to the direction of irradiation). The results of numerical simulation and experimental data processing are presented. The results point to the possibility of using additional correlation function peaks as an informative parameter to identify a rotating propeller.