Microwave nondestructive evaluation of aircraft radomes
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The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) contains two focuses. The focus on Electrical Engineering teaches students in the fields of control systems, electromagnetics and non-destructive evaluation, microelectronics, electric power & energy systems, and the like. The Computer Engineering focus teaches in the fields of software systems, embedded systems, networking, information security, computer architecture, etc.
History
The Department of Electrical Engineering was formed in 1909 from the division of the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering. In 1985 its name changed to Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. In 1995 it became the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
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1909-present
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- Department of Electrical Engineering (1909-1985)
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering (1985-1995)
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- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering (predecessor)
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Abstract
As the aviation industry continues to experience increased demand on maintenance turn-around time with decreased budgets, the airlines in particular seek advances in cost and efficiency for inspection technology. Such improvements not only increase aviation safety, but also lead to significant cost savings and avoidances. One particular inspection need is that of aircraft radomes, often found as the nosecone such as that seen in Figure 1.1, housing the plane's weather radar. This structure, fabricated out of low-loss/permittivity composite materials (such as fiberglass), must appear as "electrically transparent" as possible to the radar. Like a window to the human eye, any variations (in the form of changes in the radome's electrical permittivity) or excess material will make sensing the outside world through the structure difficult. Defects such as water ingression, excess paint, and impact damage hinder the radar's ability to sense accurately. No field-ready technique exists to evaluate the electrical properties or electrical consistency of the radome.