Detection of Defects in Wiring Networks Using Time Domain Reflectometry

Abstract

A new technique is proposed to reconstruct faulty wiring networks from the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) response. The developed method is also for characterization of defects in the branches of the network. The direct problem (propagation along the cables) is modeled by RLCG circuit parameters computed by finite element method (FEM) and the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are used to solve the inverse problem. The proposed method allows to accurately locate wire faults. Some examples are presented to validate and illustrate the ability of this reconstruction method.