Numerical Modeling of Transient Wave Propagation for High Frequency NDT

Electromagnetic nondestructive testing (NDT) methods use frequencies ranging from low (dc) to high (microwave) frequencies [1]. Applications of numerical methods to model two- and three-dimensional low-frequency (dc or eddy current) nondestructive testing phenomena, where displacement currents can be omitted, were extensively examined, [2,3]. These are all interior boundary value problems. Finite element study of ultrasonic wave propagation and scattering in metals, which is again an interior boundary value problem, was recently reported in [4]. However, modeling of wave propagation for high-frequency NDT problems have not yet been attempted. Recently, finite difference methods in time domain have been successfully applied to solve transient electromagnetic wave propagation problems over the atmosphere and the ground [5], and time-dependent eddy current problems [6]. The method used here is a generalization of this work and is designed for numerical modeling of high-frequency electromagnetic wave propagation arising from nondestructive testing applications. The physical situation includes examination of the scattering effects by cracks inside a piece of material (especially dielectrics) or due to surface variations when the material is illuminated by a TM plane wave. This leads to an interface type problem

Constrained pre-equalization accounting for multi-path fading emulated using large RC networks: applications to wireless and photonics communications

Multi-path propagation is modelled assuming a multi-layer RC network with randomly allocated resistors and capacitors to represent the transmission medium. Due to frequency-selective attenuation, the waveforms associated with each propagation path incur path-dependent distortion. A pre-equalization procedure that takes into account the capabilities of the transmission source as well as the transmission properties of the medium is developed. The problem is cast within a Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization framework that uses the developed nominal RC network model, with the excitation waveform customized to optimize signal fidelity from the transmitter to the receiver. The objective is to match a Gaussian pulse input accounting for frequency regions where there would be pronounced fading. Simulations are carried out with different network realizations in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the solution with respect to changes in the transmission medium mimicking the multi-path propagation. The proposed approach is of relevance where equalization techniques are difficult to implement. Applications are discussed within the context of emergent communication modalities across the EM spectrum such as light percolation as well as emergent indoor communications assuming various modulation protocols or UWB schemes as well as within the context of space division multiplexing