A Low-Cost Time Calibration Validation Method for Synchronized PIV Systems Using Readily Available Components

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has recently evolved from a costly, specialized technique into an accessible method thanks to affordable hardware and open-source software. This work introduces a time calibration validation method tailored for low-cost or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) PIV systems. By utilizing inexpensive components such as light-dependent resistors (LDRs), basic resistors, and data acquisition devices or microcontrollers, the study enables accurate timing analysis of light pulses from synchronized lasers or LEDs. Experimental data obtained in real time using a National Instruments USB-6003 DAQ device confirm the system’s ability to detect light pulses with high temporal resolution. Through voltage signal interpretation, the synchronization accuracy of light sources is validated across different sampling rates. Moreover, the study demonstrates how the internal frequency settings of PIVlab, an open-source PIV software package, can be customized to enhance acquisition flexibility. Timing deviations of up to 20% were identified across selected default frequency settings. The proposed method ensures that low-cost systems maintain sufficient accuracy for phase-sensitive flow measurements, such as oscillatory flow or wave action, contributing to the broader adoption of PIV in resource-limited environments. It presents a low-cost method for validating timing accuracy in PIV systems, employs widely available components and is adaptable to multiple platforms, and enables precise synchronization checks critical for flow visualization.