In particular, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems can be efficiently designed to image subsurface scattering leaks by using low-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves. Radio-frequency telemetry has been more recently introduced to localize leaks and malfunctioning pipelines. Acoustic wave monitoring is widely used in leak detection but they are concerns in terms of time response, robustness, reliability, accuracy, and costs. Furthermore, ultrasound sensors have been proposed for accurate detection and localisation of leakages in buried water pipes. Several technologies were proposed in the literature for these applications such as tracer gases and thermography. This is the case for water leakage sensor networks or for stormwater detection in critical drainage system. Monitoring pipe systems represents a major problem where continuous information on the liquid content must be constantly provided. Different water levels and pipe conditions correspond to fidelity factors between 90% and 96%, which are a suitable dynamic range for sensing and the appropriate quality for pulse communications for remote monitoring. The fidelity factor performance based on an input Ultra-Wideband Gaussian pulse is a suitable figure of merit to detect water presence.
Good radiation efficiency is realised and the antenna impedance matching remains stable when a pipe is empty or contains water.
An antipodal Vivaldi antenna operates simultaneously for telemetry and sensing when placed conformally onto PVC pipes.