A real-time infrared radiation imaging simulation method of aircraft skin with aerodynamic heating effect

Real-time infrared radiation simulation technology can provide effective support for rapid design and evaluation of a system which integrates infrared imaging technology. Considering the aerodynamic heating effect, this paper presents a real-time infrared radiation characteristic simulation method of aircraft skin based on the panel element method, which can help to assess the infrared radiation impacts of different environment factors and materials. A 3-D model of an aircraft was established and its surface was divided into different parts and panel element meshes to attach material properties. For each mesh, its heat exchange equation is solved so as to obtain the whole skin’s temperature and infrared radiation distribution. The simulation results reveal the influence of different factors on the skin surface radiation, including environmental radiation, aerodynamic heating and material properties. And the credibility and efficiency of the proposed aerodynamic heating simulation method were confirmed by comparing to the CFD simulation results.