The accuracy of numerical methods in calculating the flow of backward facing steps in turbulent hypersonic flows is limited due to a lack of flow measurements. Such measurements are necessary to validate numerical techniques and turbulent models. The lack of measurements concerns especially quantitative data on the dynamics of large turbulent structures. One approach to solve this problem is to measure the global velocity field. Therefore Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has to be arranged for use in high speed flows. In this project PIV setup was installed for the use in hypersonic Ludwieg tube Braunschweig (HLB). After the setup of PIV system a generic hyperboloid flare configuration was examined.The influence of shocks on particle concentration can be identified in these measurements. On this model previous infrared thermography measurements and numerical calculations are available, therefore a comparison was made.