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Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE)

Received: 28 May 2025     Accepted: 16 June 2025     Published: 28 July 2025
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Abstract

The performance of ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems is frequently limited by backscattering and electronic noise, which reduce sensitivity and resolution, particularly in industrial environments. At the Metals Industry Development Institute in Ethiopia, the ultrasonic NDT flaw detector (model UFD-01/T) has been employed to defects internal material defects. However, accurately pinpointing crack related frequencies remains difficult due to substantial environmental noise interference. To address this challenge, a post-processing noise cancellation system was developed utilizing advanced adaptive filtering techniques. This study presents mathematical models for noise reduction and evaluates the effectiveness of several adaptive filter algorithms, including Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Infinite Impulse Response (IIR), and Least Mean Square (LMS) methods. These algorithms were implemented and simulated within the MATLAB environment to assess their ability to isolate defect signals from noise. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive filtering methods, particularly the LMS algorithm, effectively attenuate high-frequency noise originating from echoes and environmental interferences. Consequently, the noise floor in the processed ultrasonic signals was reduced to below 35 dBm, significantly enhancing the capability to localize material defects. These findings support the integration of adaptive filtering techniques in ultrasonic NDE systems to improve defect detection precision in noisy industrial environments, thereby enhancing inspection reliability, reducing false positives, and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of industrial operations.

Published in Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Volume 13, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13
Page(s) 168-183
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

NDE, Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Filtering, FFT, Simulation

References
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[2] B. A. Krishna and G. C. S. Yadav, “Performance Comparison of Different Variable Filters for Noise Cancellation in Real-Time Environment,” Int. J. Signal Process. Image Process. Pattern Recognit., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 107-126, 2016.
[3] G. C. S. Yadav and B. A. Krishna, “Study of different adaptive filter algorithms for noise cancellation in real-Time environment,” Int. J. Comput. Appl., vol. 96, no. 10, 2014.
[4] Y.-H. Chen, S.-J. Ruan, and T. Qi, “An automotive application of real-time adaptive wiener filter for non-stationary noise cancellation in a car environment,” in 2012 IEEE International Conference on Signal Processing, Communication and Computing (ICSPCC 2012), 2012, pp. 597-601.
[5] H. Kaur and R. Talwar, “Performance and convergence analysis of LMS algorithm,” in 2012 IEEE International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Computing Research, 2012, pp. 1-4.
[6] H.-C. Huang and J. Lee, “A new variable step-size NLMS algorithm and its performance analysis,” IEEE Trans. Signal Process., vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 2055-2060, 2011.
[7] C. Brady, J. Arbona, I. S. Ahn, and Y. Lu, “FPGA-based adaptive noise cancellation for ultrasonic NDE application,” in 2012 IEEE International Conference on Electro/Information Technology, 2012, pp. 1-5.
[8] R. Jose and M. Brindha, “Area Optimized Adaptive Noise Cancellation System Using FPGA for Ultrasonic NDE Applications: A Design and Simulation Approach,” Signal Process., vol. 5, p. 11.
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[13] J. E. González, E. F. Forero, and D. A. Tibaduiza, “Signal Denoising by Using Adaptive Filtering in Signals from Ultrasonic Sensors.”
[14] M. Li and G. Hayward, “A robust approach to optimal matched filter design in ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE),” in AIP Conference Proceedings, 2017, vol. 1806, no. 1, p. 140002.
[15] P. M. Shankar, P. Karpur, V. L. Newhouse, and J. L. Rose, “Split-spectrum processing: Analysis of polarity threshold algorithm for improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and detectability in ultrasonic signals,” IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 101-108, 1989.
[16] R. Mallett, P. J. Mudge, T. H. Gan, and W. Balachandra, “Analysis of cross- correlation and wavelet de-noising for the reduction of the effects of dispersion in long- range ultrasonic testing,” Insight-Non-Destr. Test. Cond. Monit., vol. 49, no. 6, pp. 350- 355, 2007.
[17] S. Iyer, S. K. Sinha, B. R. Tittmann, and M. K. Pedrick, “Ultrasonic signal processing methods for detection of defects in concrete pipes,” Autom. Constr., vol. 22, pp. 135-148, 2012.
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    Yenealem, B., Genetu, M., Mamushet, E. (2025). Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 13(4), 168-183. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13

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    ACS Style

    Yenealem, B.; Genetu, M.; Mamushet, E. Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). J. Electr. Electron. Eng. 2025, 13(4), 168-183. doi: 10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13

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    AMA Style

    Yenealem B, Genetu M, Mamushet E. Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). J Electr Electron Eng. 2025;13(4):168-183. doi: 10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13,
      author = {Birtukan Yenealem and Mamaru Genetu and Elias Mamushet},
      title = {Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE)
    },
      journal = {Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering},
      volume = {13},
      number = {4},
      pages = {168-183},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jeee.20251304.13},
      abstract = {The performance of ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems is frequently limited by backscattering and electronic noise, which reduce sensitivity and resolution, particularly in industrial environments. At the Metals Industry Development Institute in Ethiopia, the ultrasonic NDT flaw detector (model UFD-01/T) has been employed to defects internal material defects. However, accurately pinpointing crack related frequencies remains difficult due to substantial environmental noise interference. To address this challenge, a post-processing noise cancellation system was developed utilizing advanced adaptive filtering techniques. This study presents mathematical models for noise reduction and evaluates the effectiveness of several adaptive filter algorithms, including Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Infinite Impulse Response (IIR), and Least Mean Square (LMS) methods. These algorithms were implemented and simulated within the MATLAB environment to assess their ability to isolate defect signals from noise. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive filtering methods, particularly the LMS algorithm, effectively attenuate high-frequency noise originating from echoes and environmental interferences. Consequently, the noise floor in the processed ultrasonic signals was reduced to below 35 dBm, significantly enhancing the capability to localize material defects. These findings support the integration of adaptive filtering techniques in ultrasonic NDE systems to improve defect detection precision in noisy industrial environments, thereby enhancing inspection reliability, reducing false positives, and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of industrial operations.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Applications of Adaptive Filtering Techniques for Noise Cancellation Systems to the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE)
    
    AU  - Birtukan Yenealem
    AU  - Mamaru Genetu
    AU  - Elias Mamushet
    Y1  - 2025/07/28
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13
    T2  - Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    JF  - Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    JO  - Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    SP  - 168
    EP  - 183
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2329-1605
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeee.20251304.13
    AB  - The performance of ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems is frequently limited by backscattering and electronic noise, which reduce sensitivity and resolution, particularly in industrial environments. At the Metals Industry Development Institute in Ethiopia, the ultrasonic NDT flaw detector (model UFD-01/T) has been employed to defects internal material defects. However, accurately pinpointing crack related frequencies remains difficult due to substantial environmental noise interference. To address this challenge, a post-processing noise cancellation system was developed utilizing advanced adaptive filtering techniques. This study presents mathematical models for noise reduction and evaluates the effectiveness of several adaptive filter algorithms, including Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Infinite Impulse Response (IIR), and Least Mean Square (LMS) methods. These algorithms were implemented and simulated within the MATLAB environment to assess their ability to isolate defect signals from noise. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive filtering methods, particularly the LMS algorithm, effectively attenuate high-frequency noise originating from echoes and environmental interferences. Consequently, the noise floor in the processed ultrasonic signals was reduced to below 35 dBm, significantly enhancing the capability to localize material defects. These findings support the integration of adaptive filtering techniques in ultrasonic NDE systems to improve defect detection precision in noisy industrial environments, thereby enhancing inspection reliability, reducing false positives, and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of industrial operations.
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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