Estimation of frequency characteristics of the Tonpilz piezoelectric transducer with a bending piezoelectric disk

A Tonpilz piezoelectric transducer which has a bending piezoelectric disk on the radiation surface for widening the frequency band to improve sonar detection performance in shallow water has been proposed. Variance of transmitting voltage response of this transducer depend on the phase difference between signals which applies to the ring-stack and the bending-disk piezoelectric resonators. Thus, an estimation of an optimal phase difference, which can be applied for obtaining the maximum value of transmitting voltage response, is important factor to assemble sonar array with sonar transducers. In this paper, we applied three methods to estimate transmitting voltage response at an arbitrary phase difference from a few measurements, and the estimation errors of those methods affected by internal impedances of power sources and/or noise are investigated to select the best method. The effectiveness of the best method was verified by water-pool experiments.     

Joint seismic-infrasonic processing of recordings from a repeating source of atmospheric explosions

A database has been established of seismic and infrasonic recordings from more than 100 well-constrained surface explosions, conducted by the Finnish military to destroy old ammunition. The recorded seismic signals are essentially identical and indicate that the variation in source location and magnitude is negligible. In contrast, the infrasonic arrivals on both seismic and infrasound sensors exhibit significant variation both with regard to the number of detected phases, phase travel times, and phase amplitudes, which would be attributable to atmospheric factors. This data set provides an excellent database for studies in sound propagation, infrasound array detection, and direction estimation.     

降噪阵列参数对次声降噪系统性能的影响分析

次声降噪系统对提高次声监测能力具有重要作用,为分析次声降噪系统阵列结构参数变化对其降噪性能的影响规律,构建玫瑰型(rosette)管道滤波器降噪系统声电等效模型,进而利用风噪声模型和仿真数据对该模型的单进气口传递函数和系统降噪性能进行了定量分析,总结了不同阵列结构参数对该系统降噪性能的影响规律,最后对国际监测系统(International Monitoring System,IMS)玫瑰型管道滤波器的降噪性能进行了评估。仿真实验及分析结果表明:(1)进气口数量约取96,阵列尺寸约18 m,一、二级管内径取10~20 mm,一、二级合成腔体积不得超过1 L,系统能获得较好的降噪性能;(2)IMS玫瑰型管道滤波器符合最佳阵列参数设置要求;(3)满足最佳阵列参数设置的玫瑰型管道滤波器可大幅度地提高信噪比。该分析结果可为已有次声降噪系统提供性能评估,可对新的次声降噪系统设计提供参考。      

Some effects of infrasound on task performance

Some effects of moderate levels of infrasound on the performance of a complex task have been investigated using two experimental designs. A comparison between these effects and those due to alcohol, audio frequency noise, and combinations of infrasound-alcohol and alcohol-audio frequency noise is also presented. The complex task adopted for these experiments consisted of (a) a centrally located high priority pointer following task which had to be performed continuously and (b) the response to the onset of any one of four lights two of which were situated in front of the subject and two on his periphery of vision. The task was performed over a period of 36 minutes. Our results indicate that although performance in the infrasound condition does not suffer significant decrements in either the primary task or the central and peripheral components of the secondary task, the effects through time, both within the infrasound condition and in relation to the control, produce changes which are of a different nature to those of audible noise. In audible noise performance is maintained through time, whereas with infrasound and alcohol it appears to be degraded.     

次声管道降噪滤波器优化设计

提出了基于声学响应模型与群差分进化算法的次声管道降噪滤波器优化设计方法,在理想条件和工程实践两种情景下设计了管道滤波器的结构参数并仿真分析了降噪性能表现。结果表明:（1）理想条件下的设计结果在约0.1～0.8 Hz的频带内取得了5 dB以上的降噪性能提升,最大提升达到12 dB。（2）工程实践情景的设计结果在各种环境风速中最大可以取得约3dB的性能提升。（3）大风速条件的优化设计可应用于环境风速未知或变化较大的场景。分析结果表明所提设计方法可以有效设计管道滤波器,优化设计的管道滤波器在降噪性能上优于传统管道滤波器。      

次声信号的时频信号能量统计检测方法

次声信号检测是次声事件监测的重要环节,常用的短时平均与长时平均之比STA/LTA(Short Term Average to Long Term Average)和著名的逐次多通道互相关方法PMCC(the Progressive Multiple Cross-Correlation)误检率都比较高.为此,提出一种时频域信号能量统计的次声信号检测方法,其基本原理是根据目标信号与噪声的频域分布差异,采用窄带分频技术将待检波形变换到时频域,按时频格点计算局部平均能量与全局平均能量之比,当比值大于设定阈值时,认为该格点属于目标信号的一部分。以国际监测系统次声台站监测数据为对象进行了实验研究,并与PMCC检测结果进行了比较,结果表明所提出的信号检测方法对微弱次声信号检测能力强、误检信号少.      

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array is studied based on dispersion curves in a multi-layered medium. The different phase of the guided waves with different frequency is added on the excitation signal on each element of the transducer array for focusing. This can be realized by designing a proper excitation pulse based on the dispersion curves of the guided waves for each of the transducer array elements. The numerical simulation results show that the guided waves with different modes, different frequency components, and from different elements of the transducer array can all be focused at the target and focusing is achieved.     

The experimental research on response characteristics of coal samples under the uniaxial loading process

In order to study the response characteristics of infrasound in coal samples under the uniaxial loading process, coal samples were collected from GengCun mine. Coal rock stress loading device, acoustic emission tested system and infrasound tested system were used to test the infrasonic signal and acoustic emission signal under uniaxial loading process. The tested results were analyzed by the methods of wavelet filter, threshold denoise, time–frequency analysis and so on. The results showed that in the loading process, the change of the infrasonic wave displayed the characteristics of stage, and it could be divided into three stages: initial stage with a certain amount infrasound events, middle stage with few infrasound events, and late stage gradual decrease. It had a good consistency with changing characteristics of acoustic emission. At the same time, the frequency of infrasound was very low. It can propagate over a very long distance with little attenuation, and the characteristics of the infrasound before the destruction of the coal samples were obvious. A method of using the infrasound characteristics to predict the destruction of coal samples was proposed. This is of great significance to guide the prediction of geological hazards in coal mines.     

基于反射型延迟线结构的无线无源声表面波测温系统

从传感器核心元件及无线测温雷达的优化设计出发,研制了一种集成电子标签的高性能声表面波(SAW)无线无源测温系统。基于耦合模(COM)理论对作为传感元件的反射型SAW延迟线进行了优化设计,基于仿真结果,实验研制了采用YZ LiNbO_3石英基片的434 MHz反射型SAW延迟线,该器件是由一个换能器与8个反射器构成的反射型延迟线,其中3个反射器用于温度检测,另外5个反射器则用于采用相位编码的电子标签。测试结果显示所研制的反射型SAW延迟线具有良好的时域特性与较高的信噪比,并与理论仿真结果极为吻合。设计并研制了采用步进调频(FSCW)模式的测温雷达,利用高精度高低温箱对所研制的无线无源SAW测温系统进行了无线测试,系统表现出良好的线性特性,测温准确度达到了士1℃以内。      

基于超声相控阵的环焊缝缺陷检测方法研究

针对传统超声探头焦距固定,检测位置的改变就要更换相应焦距的探头而影响检测效率的问题,提出一种基于超声相控阵换能器的环焊缝缺陷检测方法。而超声相控阵具有电子偏转和电子聚焦特性,能在不移动的情况下发射偏转聚焦超声束,有效地解决了上述问题。首先基于超声相控线阵换能器的声场特点,采用数值分析方法,研究了影响声束偏转聚焦性能的几个主要参数。然后给出了与超声相控阵换能器相连接的多通道数据采集系统结构。介绍了单通道声信号的硬件结构及相应的信号处理方法,实现了对换能器中单个阵元的精确延时的控制。实验结果表明,优化设计的超声相控线阵换能器具有较高的检测精度和检测效率。     

基于小波包分解和FK分析的次声信号参数估计

频率波数分析法是一种估计信号慢度和方位角的台阵数据处理方法,在地震波信号处理中得到广泛应用,但将频率波数分析法应用于次声信号的时候,分辨率不高,易受噪声的影响,伪峰较明显。因此,本文提出了一种基于小波包分解和FK分析的次声信号参数估计方法,该方法借助小波包分解对信号整个频带的分辨能力,有效提高了算法的分辨率,降低了噪声的影响,有效压制了伪峰,并利用高斯调制正弦信号模拟次声信号,对比分析了方位角的均值、方差和均方根误差,验证了算法的性能,最后利用IS45台站接收的实际次声数据对算法进行对比分析,进一步验证了算法的有效性。     

Uncertainties associated with parameter estimation in atmospheric infrasound arrays

This study describes a method for determining the statistical confidence in estimates of direction-of-arrival and trace velocity stemming from signals present in atmospheric infrasound data. It is assumed that the signal source is far enough removed from the infrasound sensor array that a plane-wave approximation holds, and that multipath and multiple source effects are not present. Propagation path and medium inhomogeneities are assumed not to be known at the time of signal detection, but the ensemble of time delays of signal arrivals between array sensor pairs is estimable and corrupted by uncorrelated Gaussian noise. The method results in a set of practical uncertainties that lend themselves to a geometric interpretation. Although quite general, this method is intended for use by analysts interpreting data from atmospheric acoustic arrays, or those interested in designing and deploying them. The method is applied to infrasound arrays typical of those deployed as a part of the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.     

大气中一种低频次声波观测研究

分析大气中存在的一种低频次声波。利用宽频带次声测量传感器阵列组成的广域分布网络,对此种次声波进行了近5年不间断的检测。对所测次声信号的观察统计发现,它与自然事件密切相关。对这种信号波形、频谱、时频图及相关性进行分析进一步发现,该波通常以一组或间歇性多组形式出现,频率主要在0.001~0.02 Hz之间、幅度一般可达50~200 Pa。在2008年3月20日新疆于田地震、2008年5月12日四川汶川地震以及2009年10月29日陕甘川三省交界处的地震前,均检测到了大幅值的低频次声波。本文的分析结论对研究大气次声波的多样性及其与自然现象的关系提供了新的参考,对地震信息探测具有一定的实际意义。      

Ultrasonic phased array controller for hyperthermia applications

Multiple and mechanically scanned ultrasound transducer systems have demonstrated the efficacy of using ultrasound to produce deep localized hyperthermia. The use of ultrasonic phased arrays has been proposed as an alternative to these systems. A phased array offers a more flexible approach to heating tumours in that the size, shape, and position of its focal region can be altered during the course of treatment in order to achieve the desired temperature distribution. This added flexibility comes at the cost of increased complexity of the hardware necessary to drive the transducer because each element requires its own amplifer with both phase and amplitude control. In order for phased arrays with large numbers of elements to be feasible for hyperthermia applications, the complexity of this circuitry must be minimized. This paper describes a circuit design which simplifies the electronics required to control a phased array transducer system for hyperthermia applications. The design is capable of controlling virtually any type of phased array transducer operating at frequencies less than 2 MHz. The system performance was verified through beam profile measurements using a 48-element tapered phased array transducer.     

The effects of low frequency noise on people—A review

During the fast few years, the existence of high levels of man-made low frequency noise (0–100 Hz), and in particular infrasonic noise, has been reported in many environments. An effort has been made over the last decade to discover whether such high levels of low frequency noise are significant. A review of the effects of low frequency noise indicates that the effects are similar to those of higher frequency noise, that noise in the 20–100 Hz range is much more significant than infrasound at similar sound pressure levels and that the possible danger due to infrasound has been much over-rated.     

A directional acoustic array using silicon micromachined piezoresistive microphones

The need for noise source localization and characterization has driven the development of advanced sound field measurement techniques using microphone arrays. Unfortunately, the cost and complexity of these systems currently limit their widespread use. Directional acoustic arrays are commonly used in wind tunnel studies of aeroacoustic sources and may consist of hundreds of condenser microphones. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based directional acoustic array system is presented to demonstrate key technologies to reduce the cost, increase the mobility, and improve the data processing efficiency versus conventional systems. The system uses 16 hybrid-packaged MEMS silicon piezoresistive microphones that are mounted to a printed circuit board. In addition, a high-speed signal processing system was employed to generate the array response in near real time. Dynamic calibrations of the microphone sensor modules indicate an average sensitivity of 831 microV/Pa with matched magnitude (+/-0.6 dB) and phase (+/-1 degree) responses between devices. The array system was characterized in an anechoic chamber using a monopole source as a function of frequency, sound pressure level, and source location. The performance of the MEMS-based array is comparable to conventional array systems and also benefits from significant cost savings.     

一种高灵敏压电平面水声换能器

设计并制作了一种高灵敏压电平面水声换能器。该换能器敏感元件是对1-3-2型压电复合材料结构的改进,即在带基底的压电陶瓷小柱阵列间不注入聚合物,并在其上表面直接覆盖金属板,构成“带基底的压电小柱阵列+金属盖板”结构敏感元件(称为“空气填充型”敏感元件)。对“空气填充型”敏感元件的谐振频率进行了理论计算和有限元仿真,与实测结果较吻合。为便于对比性能,同时制作了同尺寸“1-3-2型压电复合材料+金属盖板”结构敏感元件(称为“聚合物填充型”敏感元件)换能器。分别对“空气填充型”和“聚合物填充型”敏感元件换能器的有效机电耦合系数、发送电压响应和接收灵敏度进行有限元仿真和实测,结果均显示,“空气填充型”敏感元件换能器具有较高的接收灵敏度,相较于“聚合物填充型”敏感元件换能器可提高21 dB。该敏感元件换能器能有效提高灵敏度,可为研制高灵敏换能器提供参考。      

Spectral estimation for characterization of acoustic aberration

Spectral estimation based on acoustic backscatter from a motionless stochastic medium is described for characterization of aberration in ultrasonic imaging. The underlying assumptions for the estimation are: The correlation length of the medium is short compared to the length of the transmitted acoustic pulse, an isoplanatic region of sufficient size exists around the focal point, and the backscatter can be modeled as an ergodic stochastic process. The motivation for this work is ultrasonic imaging with aberration correction. Measurements were performed using a two-dimensional array system with 80 x 80 transducer elements and an element pitch of 0.6 mm. The f number for the measurements was 1.2 and the center frequency was 3.0 MHz with a 53% bandwidth. Relative phase of aberration was extracted from estimated cross spectra using a robust least-mean-square-error method based on an orthogonal expansion of the phase differences of neighboring wave forms as a function of frequency. Estimates of cross-spectrum phase from measurements of random scattering through a tissue-mimicking aberrator have confidence bands approximately +/- 5 degrees wide. Both phase and magnitude are in good agreement with a reference characterization obtained from a point scatterer.     

Elastic guided wave propagation in a periodic array of multi-layered piezoelectric plates with finite cross-sections

In this study, we present a model study of guided wave dispersion and resonance behavior of an array of piezoelectric plates with arbitrary cross-sections. The objective of this work is to analyze the influence of the geometry of an element of a 1D-array ultrasound transducer on generating multi-resonance frequency so as to increase the frequency bandwidth of the transducers. A semi-analytical finite-element (SAFE) method is used to model guided wave propagation in multi-layered 1D-array ultrasound transducers. Each element of the array is composed of LiNbO₃ piezoelectric material with rectangular or subdiced cross-section. Four-node bilinear finite-elements have been used to discretize the cross-section of the transducer. Dispersion curves showing the dependence of phase and group velocities on the frequency, and mode shapes of propagating modes were obtained for different geometry consurations. A parametric analysis was carried out to determine the effect of the aspect ratio, subdicing, inversion layer and matching layers on the vibrational behavior of 1D-array ultrasound transducers. It was found that the geometry with subdiced cross-section causes more vibration modes compared with the rectangular section. Modal analysis showed that the additional modes correspond to lateral modes of the piezoelectric subdiced section. In addition, some modes have strong normal displacements, which may influence the bandwidth and the pressure field in front of the transducer. In addition, the dispersion curves reveal strong coupling between waveguide modes due to the anisotropy of the piezoelectric crystal. The effect of the matching layers was to cluster extensional and flexural modes within a certain frequency range. Finally, inversion layer is found to have a minor effect on the dispersion curves. This analysis may provide a means to analyze and understand the dynamic response of 1D-array ultrasound transducers.     

Guided wave arrays for high resolution inspection

The paper describes a general approach for processing data from a guided wave transducer array on a plate-like structure. The raw data set from such an array contains time-domain signals from each transmitter-receiver combination. The technique is based on linear superposition of signals in the frequency domain with some amplitude and phase factors and can be applied to any array geometry and any types of array elements. The problem of finding optimal coefficients, which allow the best resolution to be achieved with the minimum number of array elements, is investigated. It is shown that improvements in resolution are obtained at the expense of sensitivity to noise. A method of quantifying this sensitivity is presented. Results are shown that illustrate the application of the technique to a linear array and an array of circular geometry (containing a single ring of elements). Experimental data obtained from a guided wave array containing electromagnetic acoustic transducer elements for exciting and detecting the S0 Lamb wave mode in a 5-mm-thick aluminum plate are processed with different algorithms and the results are discussed. Generalization of the technique for the case of multimode media is suggested.