MIMO-SAR Interferometric Measurements for Wind Turbine Tower Deformation Monitoring

Deformations affect the structural integrity of wind turbine towers. The health such structures is thus assessed by monitoring. majority sensors used for this purpose are costly and require in situ installations. We investigated whether Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Synthetic Aperture Radar (MIMO-SAR) can be to monitor an automotive-grade, low-cost, off-the-shelf MIMO-SAR sensor operating W-band with acquisition frequency 100 Hz derive Line-Of-Sight (LOS) deformation measurements ranges up about 175 m. Time series displacement areas at different heights tower were analyzed compared reference acquired processing video camera recordings total station measurements. results showed movements range 1 m top tower. able detect deformations also sensor; sufficient radar backscattering, suggest a sub-mm noise level agreement mm- level. further applied Fourier transformation dominant vibration frequencies identified values ranging from 0.17 24 Hz. outcomes confirmed potential highly precise, cost-efficient, time-efficient monitoring likely applicable other high-rise as skyscrapers or chimneys.