ORCID

0009-0001-2331-2328

Keywords

Infrared, Infrared Camera, Visual Inspection, Radio Frequency

Abstract

This research examines the potential benefits and limitations of integrating infrared (IR) cameras into tower-mounted Radio Frequency (RF) equipment visual inspections. These inspections are critical for assessing risks posed by age-related degradation and environmental impacts to safeguard from failure or malfunction. The visual inspection method for tower installed RF equipment poses significant physical risks to the climber and inspection results prone to error due to assessments performed by unaided sight or with a visual camera. I propose using thermography and infrared (IR) camera technology to conduct these visual inspections. Thermography and IR cameras would capture detailed thermal imaging data that could provide valuable insights into the condition and performance of the equipment. This non-contact, non-destructive approach helps detect defects and degradation that may not be visible. I conducted several systematic experiments to determine defect detection ability of several IR cameras on tower-based RF equipment using researcher induced defects in controlled and uncontrolled environments. Active IR thermography was used to visually inspect the items at different test distances evaluating defect type, size, and distance on detection outcomes. The experiments were conducted across three different testing environments, simulating real-world inspection scenarios as closely as possible to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of this technology. Results from this study indicate promising capabilities for IR technology in identifying specific defect types on RF equipment, suggesting that IR-enhanced inspection could supplement traditional methods. The findings also highlight key constraints of IR technology --- such as its sensitivity to distance and defect characteristics --- that may influence its deployment in practical settings. This work proposes a foundation for incorporating IR cameras into broader tower inspection frameworks, including applications with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), which could allow for remote assessments, enhance safety, and potentially improve defect detection accuracy through a "human-in-the-loop" or "human-on-the-loop" model.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Kider, Joseph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029710

Document Type

Thesis

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