A Compact Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR)-Based Microwave Nondestructive Testing Circuit.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	A Compact Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR)-Based Microwave Nondestructive Testing Circuit.
Authors:	Shaaban, Nadine A.¹, Jawad, Ghassan N.¹ ghassan.jawad@coeng.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Source:	Progress in Electromagnetics Research C. 2026, Vol. 164, p263-270. 8p.
Subjects:	Time-domain reflectometry, Nondestructive testing, Polystyrene, Reflectometer, Broadband antennas
Abstract:	This paper proposes a proof-of-concept circuit of a time-domain reflectometry (TDR)-based nondestructive testing (NDT) circuit. The circuit consists of a broadband six-port reflectometer with an end-fire antenna probe. The broadband operation is achieved by a reduced-size six-port reflectometer that uses a special algorithm to extend the frequency of operation beyond the limits between which a normal reflectometer is usually used. In addition, a highly-directive antenna probe is proposed to provide a near-constant gain across the bandwidth of operation. By operating the circuit within the frequency range 2.5–7 GHz, it is used to detect gaps of various widths between the back of a polystyrene sample and a metallic plate. Results show a clear indication of the gaps’ existence in addition to a shift that is associated with the gap width. The proposed circuit proves the possibility of implementing the TDR-based microwave NDT system using a low-cost and compact circuit without the need for bulky and expensive vector network analyzers. This paves the road towards utilizing this technology in real-life scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	This paper proposes a proof-of-concept circuit of a time-domain reflectometry (TDR)-based nondestructive testing (NDT) circuit. The circuit consists of a broadband six-port reflectometer with an end-fire antenna probe. The broadband operation is achieved by a reduced-size six-port reflectometer that uses a special algorithm to extend the frequency of operation beyond the limits between which a normal reflectometer is usually used. In addition, a highly-directive antenna probe is proposed to provide a near-constant gain across the bandwidth of operation. By operating the circuit within the frequency range 2.5–7 GHz, it is used to detect gaps of various widths between the back of a polystyrene sample and a metallic plate. Results show a clear indication of the gaps’ existence in addition to a shift that is associated with the gap width. The proposed circuit proves the possibility of implementing the TDR-based microwave NDT system using a low-cost and compact circuit without the need for bulky and expensive vector network analyzers. This paves the road towards utilizing this technology in real-life scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	19378718
DOI:	10.2528/PIERC25071008