A propagating mode extraction algorithm for microwave waveguide using variational mode decomposition

Abstract

One microwave propagating mode extraction algorithm is proposed for microwave waveguide using variational mode decomposition (VMD). The reflected signal acquired by the waveguide can be seen as the mixture of the propagating mode and evanescent modes. The propagating mode contains information regarding defects and evanescent modes can be treated as noise. By using VMD, the propagating mode can be extracted. Currently, decomposition models are mostly limited by lacking mathematical theory, backward error correction not being allowed in most methods due to the recursive sifting, or the inability to properly cope with noise. In VMD, the bands have been determined adaptively and the corresponding modes are estimated concurrently. An ensemble of modes are derived, and these modes collectively reproduce the input signal while each is being smoothed after demodulation into the baseband. This proposed model is particularly robust to sampling and noise. The bridge between the physical and mathematical models is demonstrated. A coated steel defect detection experiment is conducted using an X-band open-ended rectangular waveguide to evaluate the efficacy of the VMD method. Two samples are demonstrated. The steel with hole sample has a regular and clear defect, whereas the defect of steel with peening is fuzzy. For both samples, the VMD results can accurately identify the defects.