Robust algorithm based on decimated Padè approximant technique for processing sensor data in leak detection in waterworks

Abstract

Although today water is becoming more and more precious, its major waste is caused by transportation. The authorities in charge of the management of water pipes indicate double-digit percentage of waste, sometimes it even exceeds 50% the amount of water mostly lost by inefficiency of distribution waterworks. In this study, the authors present an alternative method of spectral analysis, used for detecting leaks in water pipes, with respect to classical spectral methods as direct Fourier transform/fast Fourier transform. They have used decimated Padè approximant (DPA), where the input time signal points or auto-correlation functions are given via measurements or computations, and the task is to reconstruct the unknown components as the harmonic variables in terms of the fundamental complex frequencies and amplitudes. They have also introduced decimated linear predictor technique as direct consequence of the DPA, since they differ only in one step, namely the calculation of the amplitudes. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.