Finite Element Modeling and Simulation of a Two-Transducer Through-Wall Ultrasonic Communication System

Abstract

A finite element simulation of a through-wall ultrasonic communication system which permits data to be transferred from the inside of a sealed metal vessel to the outside without the need for physical penetrations is introduced. Two transducers are aligned axially on either side of a thick solid stainless steel wall. The outside transducer is forced with a continuous sinusoidal voltage at the crystal’s nominal 1 MHz longitudinal resonant frequency, launching a wave into the wall. The transmitted beam is partially reflected off of the inside of the wall where the inside transducer is located. The amplitude of the reflected wave is modulated by switching the electrical impedance placed across the leads of the inside transducer. The reflected wave is received at the outside transducer and the continuous wave amplitude is sensed to detect the transmitted data bits. The system is modeled and simulated using a commercial finite element modeling package. A coupled stress-strain and piezoelectric analysis is performed using an axisymmetric geometry. The model represents an existing system from which physical measurements were taken. Excellent correlation between the model and system were observed and the model has been used to further optimize the communication system.

Study on energy transmission through metal wall based on piezoelectric material

“…In order to eliminate the elements circuit between the top transformer and the node of the acoustic transmission and the first lumped equivalent circuit was proposed by Mason. The modeling of other theories based on equivalent circuits develop by Sherri [11] that can easily be simulated when connect to other circuits or networks. This modeling analysis conveniently simulates the dynamic behavior of the mechanical vibration and electricity conversion systems.…”

Ultrasonic Wireless Communication Through Metal Barriers

“…At this point, the simulation analysis method can be used to study the channel characteristic. The commonly used simulation methods include the equivalent circuit method [23,42], ABCD parameter method [13,14,26], finite element method [9,10] and time domain finite difference method [32], which are introduced in more details and compared as follows.…”

Modeling and Characteristic Analysis of Wireless Ultrasonic Vibration Energy Transmission Channels through Planar and Curved Metal Barriers

“…Moss et al [6,7] have presented an equivalent circuit model of the sandwiched plate and developed an "acoustic-electric feed-thru" to transmit both power and data through the aluminum skin of aircraft using ultrasound. Wilt et al [8][9][10] have also investigated finite element modeling for a two-transducer through-wall ultrasonic communication system and proposed one-dimensional pressure transfer models for the acoustic-electric transmission channels. Yang et al [11] recently have modeled the acoustic-electric channel and analyzed the effect of load on transmission efficiency.…”