A measurement method based on Kalman filtering for ultrasonic time-of-flight estimation

Author

Angrisani, Leopoldo ; Baccigalupi, Aldo ; Lo Moriello, Rosario Schiano

Author_Institution

Dipt. di Informatica e Sistemistica, Univ. di Napoli Federico, Italy

Volume

55

Issue

2

fYear

2006

fDate

4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

442

Lastpage

448

Abstract

A new digital signal-processing method for ultrasonic time-of-flight (TOF) estimation is presented. The method applies the discrete extended Kalman filter (DEKF) to the acquired ultrasonic signal in order to accurately estimate the shape factors of the echo envelope as well as locate its onset. It is also possible to assure reduced bias and uncertainty in critical TOF measurements, such as those involving low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as well as severe distortion of echo shape. A number of numerical tests are conducted on simulated signals with the aim of highlighting the good performance of the method when operating in critical conditions. Results attained in TOF-based distance measurements finally assess the reliability and efficacy of the method in the presence of actual ultrasonic signals.

Keywords

Kalman filters; distance measurement; signal processing; time-of-arrival estimation; ultrasonic measurement; digital signal processing; discrete extended Kalman filter; distance measurements; echo envelope; level measurement; ultrasonic signal; ultrasonic time-of-flight estimation; ultrasonic-based measurement; Biomedical measurements; Distortion measurement; Filtering; Kalman filters; Pulse measurements; Shape measurement; Testing; Time measurement; Ultrasonic transducers; Ultrasonic variables measurement; Distance measurement; Kalman filter; extended Kalman filter; level measurement; time-of-flight (TOF) estimation; ultrasonic-based measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9456

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TIM.2006.870123

Filename

1608586