Design of sensor cluster configurations and impact localization in composite plates using deterministic maximum...

Sensor cluster-based methods have demonstrated significant potential for impact localization of composite structures owing to their enhanced spatial resolution and beamforming characteristics. However, how to select an optimal array configuration for high-precision localization is a critical problem that remains insufficiently addressed. Additionally, nonuniform noise in real-world environments inherently limits the localization accuracy of conventional methods. This paper presents a systematic design framework for selecting the optimal sensor cluster configuration, and integrates a deterministic maximum likelihood (DML)-based method to achieve accurate and robust impact localization. First, a systematic sensor cluster design framework is established, in which candidate configurations are evaluated through a scoring mechanism that balances beamwidth, sidelobe level, and spatial compactness, and the optimal configuration is identified via ranked selection. Second, a likelihood function is constructed based on the derived impact localization probability density function, and the impact direction is estimated by maximizing the likelihood. Third, image fusion is employed to accurately determine the impact location. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the excellent directivity of the designed sensor cluster and the effectiveness of the developed DML-based approach. The robustness and efficiency of the integrated localization method based on the designed sensor clusters are performed and compared on a composite panel and a stiffened plate under six kinds of cases.