Localization of Multiple Vibration Sources Using a Modified MUSIC Algorithm

We propose methods for estimation of the number of the sources and their localization in complex mechanical systems. These methods are based on the matching vibrational field obtained using finite element modeling with the measured field from vibration sensors. A modification of the MUSIC (Multiple Signal Classification) algorithm, which is often employed in direction-of-arrival estimation of wavefield sources, is effectively used to localize several simultaneously operating sources of vibration. Numerical simulation and experimental testing in mechanical systems showed the superior efficiency of the proposed method in comparison with the methods previously used to solve similar problems.