The simplest receptivity problem of linear disturbances artificially excited in a three-dimensional boundary layer adjacent to a solid surface is studied in the framework of the generalized triple-deck theory. In order to provide a mathematical model to be compared with experimental data from wind-tunnel tests we consider the base flow over a swept flat plate. Then crossflow in the near-wall region originates owing to an almost constant pressure gradient induced from outside with a displacement body on top. A pulsed or vibrating ribbon installed on the solid surface serves as an external agency provoking initially weak pulsations. A periodic dependence of the ribbon shape on a coordinate normal to the streamwise direction makes the receptivity problem effectively two-dimensional, thereby allowing a rigorous analysis to be carried out without additional assumptions.

The most striking result from the asymptotic theory is the discovery of streamwise absolute instability intrinsic to a three-dimensional boundary layer at high Reynolds numbers. However, due to limitations imposed on the receptivity problem no definite conclusions can be made with regard to possible continued convection of disturbances in the crossflow direction. An investigation of the dispersion-relation roots points to the fact that wave packets of different kinds can be generated by an external source operating in the pulse mode. Rapidly growing wave packets sweep downstream, weaker wave packets move against the oncoming stream. Insofar as the amplitude of all of the modulated signals increases exponentially in time and space, the excitation process gives rise to absolutely unstable disturbances in the streamwise direction. The computation confirms the theoretical prediction about the existence of upstream-advancing wave packets. They can be prevented from being persistently amplified only in a region ahead of the ribbon where nearly critical values of the Reynolds number are attained.

The results achieved are shown to be broadly consistent with wind-tunnel measurements. Hence a conjecture is made that the onset of transition is probably associated, under some environmental conditions, with the mechanism of streamwise absolute instability in the supercritical range of the Reynolds numbers.