A novel wireless sensor for remote NDE

A novel wireless sensor incorporating an Ultrasonic Transducer (UT) and an electromagnetic antenna is introduced which is intended to facilitate the development of self-monitoring smart structures. A network of distributed sensors would be utilised to carry out remote Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) on a host structure, and then return the results of these tests by transmission of radio waves via the antenna. This paper reports on work in progress that examines the possibility of integrating a planar antenna onto a 1:3 composite UT. One notable problem is the interaction of the ceramic used in the construction of a 1:3 composite with the electromagnetic antenna, which can have a serious impact on the efficiency of wireless transmission. Mitigating this problem could also have some effect on the ultrasonics signals if the physical thickness of the sensor/antenna structure has to be kept to a minimum. Through modelling of various planar antenna designs, the problems are defined and some solutions suggested.