Acoustic Frequency Domain Reflectometry

Acoustic Frequency Domain Reflectometry (AFDR) is a novel technique employing frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) methods in solid acoustic waveguide reflectometry. It is particularly suited to dispersion compensation and phase compensation due to the measurement domain being the frequency domain. This work rigorously analyzes, develops, and experimentally demonstrates AFDR, alongside various compensation methods and demodulation techniques. Distributed measurement of temperature is tested using several novel signal processing algorithms for strain determination and is estimated to have a resolution of 0.58 °C over a 20 cm gauge length. An error correction algorithm to improve SNR in the measurement of strain is proposed and validated. The sensing system has a theoretical spatial resolution of 2 mm and an estimated sensing resolution limit of about 1 cm. AFDR and the associated signal processing developments are positioned to be transformative across many areas of acoustics, with significant potential for distributed sensing along an acoustic waveguide.