Online Identification and Localization of Aviation Cable Defects Based on Enhanced Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry

Aviation cables are highly susceptible to defects under the long-term influence of extreme environments. If these defects are not promptly detected and addressed, they can lead to severe safety incidents. This article presents an enhanced spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (ESSTDR) for the online identification and localization of aviation cable defects. First, a 2-D finite element model of cables with insulation and shielding layer damages is established. The severity of cable defects is quantitatively set to analyze the variation patterns of the cable’s characteristic impedance. Second, an ESSTDR is developed by integrating interference wave elimination and time-frequency cross correlation with spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR). Through a combined simulation of the finite element model and circuit model, the online identification and localization of cable defects based on ESSTDR are theoretically achieved. Finally, an experimental platform is set up to conduct online identification and localization of different defects in various types of cables, verifying the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.