Utilizing Sensor Arrays to Attain High-Operating Bandwidth

Proposed in this paper is a methodology for the design of a sensor array of small bandwidth passband sensors (sensors with small bandwidth but different bandwidths) to attain a high operating bandwidth. In certain control applications, it is necessary that a high bandwidth sensor be used for feedback efficiency. The design of a single sensor with the desired high bandwidth may not be easy and economically feasible. A new approach, which recommends the use of an array of small bandwidth pass-band sensors in place of a single sensor of high bandwidth is proposed. It is shown that the idea of sensor arrays can be utilized to obtain a cost effective and efficient solution to the problem posed. The proposed sensor array that consists of multiple sensors with possible overlapping operating regions as defined by their pass-bands requires that an effective fusion technique be used to unite multi-sensor data. A multi-sensor data fusion scheme using Frequency Response Methods is developed to facilitate the possible implementation of proposed sensor arrays.