The Linearized Potential Flow, Frequency Domain (ae) interface (), found under the Acoustics>Aeroacoustics branch () when adding a physics interface, is used to compute the acoustic variations in the velocity potential in the presence of an inviscid and irrotational background mean-flow, that is, a potential flow. The physics interface is used for aeroacoustic simulations that can be described by the linearized compressible potential flow equations.

When this physics interface is added, these default nodes are also added to the Model Builder — Aeroacoustics Model, Sound Hard Boundary (Wall), and Initial Values. For axisymmetric components an Axial Symmetry node is also added.

Then, from the Physics toolbar, add other nodes that implement, for example, boundary conditions and sources. You can also right-click Linearized Potential Flow, Frequency Domain to select physics features from the context menu.

The Label is the default physics interface name.

The Name is used primarily as a scope prefix for variables defined by the physics interface. Refer to such physics interface variables in expressions using the pattern <name>.<variable_name>. In order to distinguish between variables belonging to different physics interfaces, the name string must be unique. Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_) are permitted in the Name field. The first character must be a letter.

The default Name (for the first physics interface in the model) is ae.

The settings are the same as Sound Pressure Level Settings for the Pressure Acoustics, Frequency Domain interface.

The settings are the same as Typical Wave Speed for the Pressure Acoustics, Frequency Domain interface.

This physics interface defines one dependent variable (field), the Velocity potential phi. The name can be changed but the names of fields and dependent variables must be unique within a model.

To display this section, click the Show button () and select Discretization. From the list select the element order and type (Lagrange or serendipity) for the velocity potential, the default is Quadratic Lagrange.