Master's Thesis Defense

 

Presenter: Cole Gindhart

 

Advisors: Drs. Moshe Kam and Richard Primerano

 

Abstract: Ultrasonic through metal communication systems are an effective solution for transmitting data across a metal barrier when the structural integrity of the barrier cannot be compromised by physically penetrating it. Substantial improvements in through metal communication systems have been made in recent years, enabling high speed communications of up to 15 Mbps, as well as power transmission up to 30W across flat walls. We have developed a system that allows for ultrasonic through metal communication across a steel tube approximately 48 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. Primary challenges of 1) transducer contact, 2) curvature effect on echoes, and 3) alignment are analyzed and addressed through the use of radial mode piezoelectric transducers, transducer "horns", and Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMATs). The final system developed shows no significant loss due to changes in alignment, allows for the use of either piezoelectric transducers or EMATs externally, and achieves max data rates of approximately 600kbps without echo equalization.