Guided Wave Based Acoustic Communications in Structural Health Monitoring Systems in the Presence of Structural Defects

In this paper, we demonstrate a numerical as well as an experimental proof of concept for digital wireless communication in damaged plate-like structures using ultrasonic guided waves. The feasibility of a simple on-off keying modulation scheme is shown which does not require advanced signal processing even though multiple wave modes are present. First, a simulation study aims at investigating multibit communication over an isotropic aluminum plate in the presence of a notch-type defect. Furthermore, we conduct an experimental study in which we observe communication for severe cut-like damages. The presented data communication scheme might be utilized in future structural health monitoring systems which may provide at the same time both data communication as well as the detection of defects.