Electromagnetic defect detection system and method based on w-band imaging characteristics

Abstract

This invention discloses an electromagnetic defect detection system and method based on W-band imaging characteristics, belonging to the field of electromagnetic defect detection. It includes: an antenna, a transceiver assembly, a frequency conversion assembly, and a signal processing assembly. The antenna comprises a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The transmitting antenna receives radio frequency signals from the transmitting component of the transceiver assembly and radiates them outwards. The receiving antenna receives electromagnetic wave signals from the target under test and feeds them into the receiving component. The transceiver assembly includes a transmitting component and a receiving component. The transmitting component amplifies the power of the radio frequency signals from the frequency conversion assembly. The receiving component performs gain control and filtering on the radio frequency signals from the receiving antenna. The frequency conversion assembly includes an up-conversion component, a down-conversion component, and a frequency synthesizer component. The signal processing assembly receives parameter commands from a software terminal and sends the commands to the transceiver assembly and the frequency conversion assembly. This solution can accurately determine the location of electromagnetic defects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electromagnetic defect detection technology, and in particular to an electromagnetic defect detection system and method based on the characteristics of W-band imaging. Background Technology

[0002] Imaging resolution is a core prerequisite for diagnosing electromagnetic defects in targets such as aircraft. It directly determines whether defects can be accurately identified, located, and analyzed, and is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the diagnosis.

[0003] Compared to conventional test bands (e.g., 1 GHz to 18 GHz), W-band signals have a shorter wavelength (approximately 3 mm), enabling higher imaging resolution, clear resolution of minute details, and a smaller overall system size, allowing for high-resolution imaging while maintaining a lightweight design.

[0004] Existing electromagnetic defect detection systems do not use W-band signals, but rather low-frequency signals such as X-band and Ku-band. Their disadvantage is relatively low resolution, meaning they can only detect a limited range of minute defects. For smaller defects, existing systems often cannot accurately test them, leading to inaccurate detection. When testing more important targets, they typically cannot provide accurate detection information.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an electromagnetic defect detection system and method based on the characteristics of W-band imaging. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problem that traditional electromagnetic defect detection systems use low-frequency signals, resulting in low resolution and often failing to accurately detect minute defects, this invention provides an electromagnetic defect detection system and method based on W-band imaging characteristics.

[0007] On the one hand, an electromagnetic defect detection system based on the imaging characteristics of the W-band is provided, the system comprising: an antenna, a transceiver assembly, a frequency conversion assembly, and a signal processing assembly; The antenna includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The transmitting antenna is used to receive radio frequency signals from the transmitting component of the transceiver assembly and radiate them out. The receiving antenna is used to receive electromagnetic wave signals from the target under test and feed them into the receiving component of the transceiver assembly. The transceiver assembly includes a transmitting component and a receiving component. The transmitting component is used to amplify the power of the radio frequency signal from the frequency conversion assembly. The receiving component is used to perform gain control and filtering on the radio frequency signal from the receiving antenna. The frequency conversion assembly includes an up-conversion component, a down-conversion component, and a frequency synthesizer component; the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component are used to perform frequency conversion between intermediate frequency and radio frequency signals; the frequency synthesizer component is used to provide the local oscillator signal required for frequency conversion to the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component. The signal processing unit is used to receive parameter transmission instructions from the software terminal and transmit the instructions to the transceiver unit and the frequency conversion unit.

[0008] On the other hand, a detection method based on any system embodiment of the specification is provided, including: After deploying the target and the detection system, confirm that the detection system is in normal working order; The detection system is used to perform imaging measurements on the target. The acquired imaging results are compared with the reference image to determine the location of the electromagnetic defect.

[0009] The technical solution provided by this invention can bring at least the following beneficial effects: By combining antennas, transceivers, frequency converters, and signal processing, W-band imaging detection of important targets under different conditions is completed, thereby determining the location of their electromagnetic defects and providing technical services for the factory inspection of important targets. Attached Figure Description

[0010] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic defect detection system based on W-band imaging characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of an electromagnetic defect detection method based on W-band imaging characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0013] The specific implementation of the above concept is described below.

[0014] Please refer to Figure 1 The present invention provides an electromagnetic defect detection system based on the imaging characteristics of the W-band, the system comprising: an antenna, a transceiver assembly, a frequency conversion assembly, and a signal processing assembly; The antenna includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The transmitting antenna is used to receive radio frequency signals from the transmitting component of the transceiver assembly and radiate them out; the receiving antenna is used to receive electromagnetic wave signals from the target under test and feed them into the receiving component of the transceiver assembly. The transceiver unit includes a transmitting component and a receiving component. The transmitting component is used to amplify the power of the radio frequency signal from the frequency conversion unit; the receiving component is used to perform gain control and filtering on the radio frequency signal from the receiving antenna. The frequency conversion assembly includes an up-conversion component, a down-conversion component, and a frequency synthesizer component; the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component are used to perform frequency conversion between intermediate frequency and radio frequency signals; the frequency synthesizer component is used to provide the local oscillator signal required for frequency conversion of the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component. The signal processing unit is used to receive parameter commands from the software terminal and send the commands to the transceiver unit and the frequency conversion unit.

[0015] In this embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic defect detection system includes an antenna, a transceiver assembly, a frequency conversion assembly, a signal processing assembly, and a power management assembly. The antenna radiates W-band electromagnetic waves to the target and receives echo signals from the target; the transceiver assembly receives radio frequency signals from the frequency conversion assembly and amplifies their power, receives electromagnetic wave signals from the antenna and performs filtering and gain adjustment; the frequency conversion assembly performs frequency conversion between intermediate frequency (IF) signals and radio frequency (RF) signals; and the signal processing assembly generates IF signals, receives IF signals from the frequency conversion assembly, and sends control commands to the transceiver assembly and the frequency conversion assembly.

[0016] Some implementations also include: a power management suite; The power management unit is used to power the transceiver unit, frequency conversion unit, and signal processing unit.

[0017] Please refer to Figure 2 This invention provides a detection method based on any system embodiment of the specification, the method comprising: 200. After deploying the target and the detection system, confirm that the detection system is in normal working order. 202. The detection system is used to perform imaging measurements on the target under test; 204. The imaging results are compared with the reference image to determine the location of the electromagnetic defect.

[0018] For step 200: In some implementations, the target to be measured is set up by using a support frame or a turntable.

[0019] In some implementations, the detection system is deployed in such a way that it moves at a pre-set speed to scan the target.

[0020] In some implementations, another way to deploy the detection system is as follows: the target under test rotates at a set speed under the action of the turntable, the detection system remains stationary, and continuously radiates electromagnetic wave signals to the target under test. After being radiated by the target, the receiving antenna receives its echo signal to perform electromagnetic defect detection.

[0021] In this embodiment of the invention, the target under test is typically a typical aircraft target or its scaled-down model. If the test is conducted outdoors, foam columns or low-scattering supports are needed to erect the target; if the test is conducted indoors, typically in a darkroom environment, a target turntable or dedicated target erection structure is required. The detection system is deployed according to the target's erection location. An appropriate test distance is selected based on the testing requirements and environmental constraints. After selecting the location, the system is powered by mains electricity, and control cables are connected to the software terminal, ensuring the software terminal can display the system's operating status and send operating parameters. The software terminal and equipment are properly connected; the feedback information from each combination displayed on the software terminal is observed to ensure that each combination is functioning correctly.

[0022] Regarding step 202: In some implementations, an imaging measurement method is as follows: the target to be measured remains stationary, while the detection system moves within the test site, with the moving distance covering the size of the target to be measured, to perform SAR imaging measurement.

[0023] In some implementations, another imaging measurement method is as follows: the detection system remains stationary, while the target under test rotates according to the test requirements under the action of the turntable to complete the ISAR imaging measurement.

[0024] There are two possible methods for imaging measurement. The first method involves keeping the target stationary while the detection system moves within the test area, covering the size of the target to complete the SAR imaging measurement. The second method involves keeping the detection system stationary while the target rotates according to the test requirements using a target turntable to complete the ISAR imaging measurement.

[0025] Regarding step 204: In some implementations, the location of the electromagnetic defect is determined as follows: The on-site test data is transmitted from the signal processing unit to the software terminal, where the software terminal filters, stores, and processes the data to form a two-dimensional image of the detection image. Extract and analyze the differences between the reference image and the detection image; By comparing the scattering intensity and phase difference values, the location of electromagnetic defects in the detected image is determined; the reference image is defect-free, reflecting the characteristics of the target area under normal conditions.

[0026] In this embodiment, on-site test data is transmitted from the signal processing unit to the software terminal. The software terminal filters, stores, and processes the data to form a two-dimensional image. After comparing the results of two images taken at different times, an algorithm is used to cancel out the identical areas in the two images, retaining the differences, which are the locations of electromagnetic defects in the target object. The core idea is the extraction and analysis of differences between the reference image and the test image. The reference image is defect-free, reflecting the characteristics of the target area under normal conditions; the test image is defective. The core of image comparison lies mainly in comparing their scattering intensity, phase difference values, etc.

[0027] Since the above method is based on the same concept as the system embodiment of the present invention, the specific details can be found in the description of the system embodiment of the present invention, and will not be repeated here.

[0028] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the above method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic defect detection system based on W-band imaging characteristics, characterized in that, include: Antenna, transceiver unit, frequency conversion unit, signal processing unit; The antenna includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The transmitting antenna is used to receive radio frequency signals from the transmitting component in the transceiver assembly and radiate them out. The receiving antenna is used to receive electromagnetic wave signals from the target under test and feed them into the receiving component of the transceiver assembly. The transceiver assembly includes a transmitting component and a receiving component. The transmitting component is used to amplify the power of the radio frequency signal from the frequency conversion assembly. The receiving component is used to perform gain control and filtering on the radio frequency signal from the receiving antenna. The frequency conversion assembly includes an up-conversion component, a down-conversion component, and a frequency synthesizer component; the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component are used to perform frequency conversion between intermediate frequency and radio frequency signals; the frequency synthesizer component is used to provide the local oscillator signal required for frequency conversion to the up-conversion component and the down-conversion component. The signal processing unit is used to receive parameter transmission instructions from the software terminal and transmit the instructions to the transceiver unit and the frequency conversion unit.

2. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Power management combination; The power management unit is used to power the transceiver unit, the frequency conversion unit, and the signal processing unit.

3. A detection method based on the system according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, include: After deploying the target and the detection system, confirm that the detection system is in normal working order; The detection system is used to perform imaging measurements on the target. The acquired imaging results are compared with the reference image to determine the location of the electromagnetic defect.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, For indoor or outdoor testing, the target to be tested can be set up using either a support frame or a turntable.

5. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, One deployment method for the detection system is as follows: the detection system moves at a set speed to scan the target to be tested.

6. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Another deployment method for the detection system is as follows: the target under test rotates at a set speed under the action of the turntable, while the detection system remains stationary and continuously radiates electromagnetic wave signals to the target under test. After being radiated by the target, the receiving antenna receives its echo signal to perform electromagnetic defect detection.

7. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first imaging measurement method is as follows: the target to be measured remains stationary, and the detection system moves within the test site, with the moving distance covering the size of the target to be measured, and SAR imaging measurement is performed.

8. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second imaging measurement method is as follows: the detection system remains stationary, while the target to be measured rotates according to the test requirements under the action of the turntable to complete the ISAR imaging measurement.

9. A method based on claim 3, characterized in that, The method for determining the location of electromagnetic defects is as follows: The on-site test data is transmitted from the signal processing unit to the software terminal, where the software terminal filters, stores, and processes the data to form a two-dimensional image of the detection image. Extract and analyze the differences between the reference image and the detection image; By comparing the scattering intensity and phase difference values, the location of electromagnetic defects in the detected image is determined; the reference image is defect-free and reflects the characteristics of the target area under normal conditions.

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