Design and Implementation of an Optically Powered Ultrasonic Node for Structural Health Monitoring
Open Access
- Author:
- Sarker, Md Arifur
- Graduate Program:
- Electrical Engineering (MS)
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- October 31, 2023
- Committee Members:
- Mehdi Kiani, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Xingjie Ni, Committee Member
John Doherty, Professor in Charge/Director of Graduate Studies - Keywords:
- Structural health monitoring
smart ultrasonic node
wavelength multiplexing
piezoelectric transducers
fiber optic sensors
discrete SHM - Abstract:
- extended structural lifespan, cost savings, and early risk detection, ultimately contributing to an enhanced overall performance of the critical structures. SHM comprises four stages: the first involves detecting damage, the second entails mapping the evolving damage's location and size, while the third and fourth stages encompass evaluating and halting further damage progression. Real-time fault monitoring and diagnostics remains a challenge in the field of SHM. To tackle this challenge, an integration of optical fibers and ultrasonic waves as a detection sensor is proposed in this thesis. This thesis presents a proof-of-concept, innovative SHM system using a combination of fiber optics wavelength multiplexing and ultrasound transducers for interrogation and diagnosis of the structure. The scope of this thesis is to develop a one-channel multiplexed, ultrasonic electronics node for generating ultrasonic waves. The complete system is developed using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, and around 2.75 mW of power was multiplexed through the use of long period fiber Bragg grating (LPFG). The recovered power is used to drive an ultrasound transducer with ~ 30 V pulses. An innovative power scheduling technique is implemented to make sure that the power consuming COTS components remain operational even though there is limited input power. The complete system is demonstrated at an operational frequency of 500 kHz.