Time-frequency domain reflectometry for smart wiring systems

In this paper, a new high resolution reflectometry scheme, time-frequency domain reflectometry, is proposed to detect and locate a fault in wiring. Traditional reflectometry methods have been achieved in either the time domain or frequency domain only. However, time-frequency domain reflectometry utilizes time and frequency information of a transient signal to detect and locate the fault. The time-frequency domain reflectometry approach described in this paper is characterized by time-frequency reference signal design and post-processing of the reference and reflected signals to detect and locate the fault. Using a computational electromagnetic model of a coaxial cable with a fault, time-frequency domain reflectometry has been demonstrated. Knowledge of time and frequency localized information for the reference and reflected signal gained via time-frequency analysis, allows one to detect the fault and estimate the location accurately.