Self-adaptive correlation method for soft defect detection in cable by reflectometry

The self-adaptive correlation method (SACM), based on a temporal processing, consists in treating the reflectogram in order to amplify the signatures of soft defects and make them more easily detectable. The algorithm amplifies any signature correlated with the injection pulse. Amplification is more important as the amplitude of the soft defect is low, and reciprocally. Thus, this method allows to highlight the soft defect while attenuating the noise present on the reflectogram. The term “self-adaptive” means that the gain is automatically adjusted depending on the amplitude of the soft defect signature. This method is applicable to different reflectometry techniques with different waveforms and different position of the defect in the cable. This innovative approach has the advantage of reducing the computational complexity compared to the state of the art.