The detection of echoes from multilayer structures using the wavelet transform

A method for measuring unknown thicknesses of multilayer structures, based on echo detection by means of the wavelet transform (WT), is presented. A brief discussion of the theoretical considerations underlying the method is first given. This highlights the excellent performance shown by the WT as a powerful tool for the analysis of echoes in a noisy environment. A suitable operating procedure for validation of the method is then set up. To this end, tests on 1) simulated signals and 2) actual signals received from known thicknesses are carried out: the obtained results are finally given and discussed.