The rectangular sensors array is used for source localization in
plate-type structures. Wavelet analysis and time–frequency location
algorithm using CTFS of lead break induced acoustic signals
is proposed without constant wave velocity as a new approach.
By wavelet packet decomposition, a packet with frequency range
of 0.125–0.25 MHz is selected for signal processing. The cross-time
frequency spectral densities of these packets are calculated and the
time delay between signals and corresponding frequency are estimated
when the CTFS density reaches the maximum value. The
acoustic velocity is obtained by the known dispersive curves per
specified frequencies. The proposed algorithm is applied to locate
AE source and the resulted location errors are reduced compared
with the correlation-based location method. The results show that
this technique is more feasible to improve AE source locating using
frequency-dependant wave velocity instead of constant speed.