Microwave vibration camera: Stereo vision assisted microwave full-field vibration visualization

Abstract

The emerging field of microwave-based vibration monitoring is gaining significant attention in applications like mechanical equipment maintenance and structural health monitoring. However, the current range-angle heatmap imaging employed in full-field microwave vibrometry face substantial challenges in identifying measuring points and localizing vibration sources within complex scenarios. To this end, we introduce a unique concept: the microwave vibration camera (MVC). This novel system leverages sensor fusion by integrating the vibrational data from a microwave transceiver with spatial localization insights from a binocular camera, enabling a remarkable enhancement in vibration visualization in full field of view. In this study, we first provide a comprehensive overview of the MVC and relevant fundamental principles. Then we present a detailed methodology for the joint positioning and vibration visualization processes. Additionally, we conduct the calibration of the coordinate transformation matrix between the camera coordinate system (CCS) and the microwave antenna coordinate system (ACS) in a straightforward scenario, thoroughly evaluating its performance. Ultimately, we validate the effectiveness of the MVC through diverse scenarios and analytical dimensions, offering a desired microwave vibration visualization approach that facilitates measuring point identification and vibration source localization in complex environments.