A new resistor network based forward model for electrical impedance tomography sensors

An electrical resistance tomography sensor consists of a set of measurement electrodes. In general, finite element method (FEM) is used to solve the forward problem (i.e. calculate the resistance value for a given conductivity distribution and electrodes setup). In this paper, a new approach is proposed. The equivalent resistor network model of an electrical resistance tomography (ERT) sensor has been obtained from FE (finite element) method. Based on this discrete resistor model, electrical resistance sensors when connecting to external discrete resistor networks can be accurately simulated using conventional circuit theories. This improved forward model (i.e. the ability to incorporate external resistance network) allows more flexible sensor configuration and updated sensitivity matrix and better images to be obtained, which provides a better foundation for the further application of ERT imaging techniques to wider industrial processes.