A comparative analysis of single- and multiple-electrode excitation methods in electrical capacitance tomography

Multiple-electrode excitation methods in electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) are analysed and compared with the conventional single-electrode excitation strategy. A series of experiments carried out employing a purpose-built flexible-excitation ECT system, showed a variable (11-125%) but consistent increase in the detection signals when using 'optimum' excitation patterns, compared with the single-electrode case. However, for most applications this advantage of multiple-electrode excitation may not justify the price that must be paid in terms of higher system complexity.