Detection and characterization of multiple discontinuities in cables with time‐domain reflectometry and convolutional neural networks

Abstract

In this paper, a convolutional neural network for the detection and characterization of impedance discontinuity points in cables is presented. The neural network analyzes time‐domain reflectometry signals and produces a set of estimated discontinuity points, each of them characterized by a class describing the type of discontinuity, a position, and a value quantifying the entity of the impedance discontinuity. The neural network was trained using a great number of simulated signals, obtained with a transmission line simulator. The transmission line model used in simulations was calibrated using data obtained from stepped‐frequency waveform reflectometry measurements, following a novel procedure presented in the paper. After the training process, the neural network model was tested on both simulated signals and measured signals, and its detection and accuracy performances were assessed. In experimental tests, where the discontinuity points were capacitive faults, the proposed method was able to correctly identify 100% of the discontinuity points, and to estimate their position and entity with a root‐mean‐squared error of 13 cm and 14 pF, respectively.