Feasibility Study for an Improved Acoustic Probe for Road Roughness Profiling

摘要

A feasibility study has been made of four alternative electro-acoustic sensor concepts for application to a non-contact acoustic road roughness profilometer. The concepts examined were, (1) a single-frequency phase detecting system (already partially developed), (2) a two-frequency phase detection system, (3) an echo-ranging system, and (4) an FM-ranging system. The study was primarily a paper investigation with some testing of critical circuits. Primarily based on its simplicity, the echo-ranging concept was indicated as the best one for further exploration. Some of the constraints and performance requirements on acoustic sensor systems are discussed in the report. A method of circumventing some environmental problems is suggested.