Post-processing of the full matrix of ultrasonic transmit–receive array data for non-destructive evaluation

• Published in: NDT & E international : independent nondestructive testing and evaluation Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. 701 - 711
• Main Authors: Holmes, Caroline, Drinkwater, Bruce W., Wilcox, Paul D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Arrays; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Materials science; Materials testing; Measurement and testing methods; Physics; Post-processing; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Ultrasonics; Post-processing; Arrays; Ultrasonics; Time domain method; Hybrid antenna; Ultrasonic control; Metrology; Data processing; Non destructive test; Wavefront
• ISSN: 0963-8695; 1879-1174
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ndteint.2005.04.002

Processing of ultrasonic array data is traditionally based on having parallel transmission circuits that enable staggered firing of transmitter elements to produce the desired wavefront. This paper describes an alternative approach in which the full matrix of time domain signals from every transmitter–receiver pair is captured and post-processed. Various post-processing approaches are modelled and assessed in terms of their ability to image a point-like reflector. Experimental results are then presented which show good quantitative agreement with the modelled results. An advanced processing algorithm is also implemented which allows the array to be focused at every point in the target region in both transmission and reception. This approach is shown to offer significant performance advantages for NDE.