SoC-based ultrasound system for real-time detection of pressurized gas leaks

Monitoring industrial pipelines, improving safety of hazardous gas infrastructure and detecting leaks of compressed air is crucial for ensuring public health and safety and minimizing economic losses. We describe the design, development, and testing of an embedded system for detecting pressurized gas leaks using ultrasound technology. The system consists of a compact array of microphones strategically positioned to capture ultrasonic signals emitted by leaks of pressurized gases. The acquired audio data is processed in real-time on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) utilizing a novel combination of frequency filtering and live power beamforming. Specifically, the FPGA-based signal processing chain applies a bandwidth filter to isolate the ultrasonic frequency range (30-50 kHz), effectively rejecting ambient noise and interference. The filtered signals are then live visualized using adaptive beamforming, a variant of power beamforming that enhances ultrasound signals and improves detection sensitivity. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the system's performance in various harsh industrial environments and leak scenarios.