A Step Forward Towards Radar Sensor Networks for Structural Health Monitoring of Wind Turbines

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of wind turbines can be carried out through inexpensive noncontact radar systems. This paper reports the first steps for the proper deployment of a network of radar sensors around the wind turbine, which may provide useful information to reliably detect possible defects or malfunctioning. In particular, the echo features for a 50-m-height wind turbine when illuminated by a 24-GHz Doppler radar from different near positions are carefully studied and evaluated in a simulated scenario. The performed simulations are in close agreement with the experimental results obtained through a 24-GHz radar gun. As main conclusions, this analysis reveals the convenience of employing high-frequency radar systems for the sensor network and situating the radars on the ground.