ISONIC PA AUT Return to Sonotron NDT Home Page Platform for Automatic Ultrasonic Phased Array, TOFD, and Conventional Pulse Echo Inspection Up to 256 channels for connection of phased array probes Up to 32 channels for connection of conventional probes for pulse echo and TOFD inspection Parallel A/D conversion and on-the-fly digital phasing and superimposing of phased array elements signals Free setting of emitting and receiving aperture accumulating up to 256 elements each Controlled by remote computer through Ethernet Easy-to-follow ray tracing, calibration, and strip chart forming wizard Real time strip chart recording and presentation with complete capturing of raw data A-Scans Rugged IP 67 case mountable on scanner or tractor No need in long bulky umbilical for probes connection Coordinate encoder input Motor powering and control port Typical Scope of Supply # Item Note 1 ISONIC PA AUT electronics configured according to scope of inspections 2 Power supply 3 Application software packages according to scope of inspections 4 Set of fixtures and cables 5 Laptop computer Non-mandatory for purchase from Sonotron NDT; laptop computer from any vendor may be used 6 Phased Array probes and wedges according to scope of inspections Non-mandatory for purchase from Sonotron NDT; Phased array probes and wedges from any vendor may be used 7 Probes for conventional pulse echo and TOFD inspection Non-mandatory for purchase from Sonotron NDT; Probes from any vendor may be used 8 Manual our automatic scanner or tractor equipped with position encoder Non-mandatory for purchase from Sonotron NDT; Scanners from any vendor may be used Download High Resolution PDF Brochure (Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher required) Technical Data (Typical) Single Pulser Receiver Channel for Phased Array and Conventional Pulse Echo and TOFD Probes Pulse Type: Bipolar Square Wave Initial Transition: ≤7.5 ns (10-90% for rising edges / 90-10% for falling edges) Pulse Amplitude: Smoothly tunable (12 levels) 50V … 300 V peak to peak into 50 Ω Half Wave Pulse Duration: 10…600 ns independently controllable in 10 ns step Modes (for conventional pulse echo and TOFD probes channels only): Single / Dual PRF: 10...5000 Hz controllable in 1 Hz resolution Gain: 0...110 dB controllable in 0.5 dB resolution Advanced Low Noise Design: 85 μV peak to peak input referred to 80 dB gain / 25 MHz bandwidth Frequency Band: 0.2 … 25 MHz Wide Band Firing of phased array probes Phasing 0…100 μs with 5 ns resolution Emitting aperture 1…64 / 128 / 256 - depending on total number of channels for phased array probes A/D Conversion and DSP A/D Conversion Parallel 100 MHz 16 bit Phasing of signals received by phased array channels On-the-fly 0…100 μs with 5 ns resolution Superimposing of signals received by phased array channels On-the-fly Receiving Aperture 1…64 / 128 / 256 - depending on total number of channels for phased array probes Digital Filters (for phased array and conventional pulse echo and TOFD channels) 32-Taps FIR band pass with controllable lower and upper frequency limits On-Board satellite Computer CPU: AMD LX 800 - 500MHz RAM: 512 Megabytes Internal Flash Memory - Quasi HDD: 4 Gigabytes Interface: Ethernet Operating System: Windows™XP Embedded Other Housing: IP 67 rugged aluminum case mountable on scanner or tractor Encoder interface: Incremental TTL encoder Motor Control Output: DC powering / RS 232 control - stepped motor Innovative Architecture Conventional Windows XP or Vista remote computer controls ISONIC PA AUT Platform through Ethernet Connection to remote computer may be provided by means of Ethernet crossover cable, or through mini-hub or local network or Internet Thanks to innovative architecture there is no need in bulky long umbilical for probes connection. Each probe is plugged into appropriate socket of ISONIC PA AUT Platform using short cable – this significantly improves signal to noise ratio and simplifies placing / removal of scanner or tractor onto / from object under test and scanning as well ISONIC PA AUT Platform is available in various configurations combining 64, 128, or 256 channels for phased array probes and 0, 8, 16, or 32 channels for conventional probes, for example: ISONIC PA AUT 64/0 – 64 channels for phased array probes, no channels for conventional probes ISONIC PA AUT 128/8 – 128 channels for phased array probes, 8 channels for conventional probes ISONIC PA AUT 256/32 – 256 channels for phased array probes, 32 channels for conventional probes ect ISONIC PA AUT Platform is free of overheating and does not require cooling circuit Multiple Units Operation Several ISONIC PA AUT platforms may be operated from one remote computer Generic Software Package For Integrators and Users Creating Proprietary Inspection Applications: Generic Software Package includes: IPA Service running in the on-board satellite computer of ISONIC PA AUT Platform and providing: execution of commands for managing electronics and scanner motors received from remote computer transmission of A-Scan and corresponding position encoder data to remote computer IPA SDK - software development kit for creating of application software including drivers for remote computer allowing: control of phased array and conventional channels control of motors receiving A-Scans receiving position encoder data Examples of source code utilizing drivers of IPA SDK are included into delivery package Application Software Packages For Users Dealing With Practical Inspections Each application software packages includes: IPA Service running in the on-board satellite computer of ISONIC PA AUT Platform and providing: execution of commands for managing electronics and scanner motors received from remote computer transmission of A-Scan and corresponding position encoder data to remote computer IPA SDK - software development kit for creating of application software including all necessary drivers for remote computer allowing: control of phased array and conventional channels control of motors receiving A-Scans receiving position encoder data IPA Application running in the remote computer and controlling ISONIC PA AUT Platform through IPA SDK, which provides: user interface for pre-scanning routine allowing defining of object under test and its shape and dimensions, setting probes data, selection of scanning strategy, etc user interface for control of phased array and conventional channels, scanner motors, receiving and indicating A-Scans and probe coordinates, inspection data presentation at pre-scanning calibration and trials stage user interface for performing scanning, data presentation during scanning, data storage and postprocessing Example of Application SW Package – ASME 2235-9 Code Case Compatible Automatic Ultrasonic Inspection of Girth Welds Pre-Scanning Routine - Stage 1 Pre-Scanning Routine - Stage 2 Scanning Postprocessing Service Functions   Pre-scanning Routine – Stage 1: Theoretical Setup Wizard Theoretical Setup Wizard guides through: Phased Array Probe Definition screen for keying in parameters of phased array probes and wedges, which are necessary for beam steering and focusing Weld Definition screen for selection of appropriate weld bevel from data base and keying in related geometry and dimensions data Zones Definition screen for "slicing" of weld volume, cap, and root into zones to be insonified in each qualified position of phased array probe: Ray Tracing screen for determining of zone-by-zone insonification scheme (pulse echo or tandem; incidence angles; emitting and receiving aperture; focal distance) and appropriate positions for phased array probes from both sides of the weld Theoretical Setup file is created upon completion of wizard as described and used for further setting of phased array channels Pre-scanning Routine – Stage 2: Ultrasonic Setup Wizard Ultrasonic Setup Wizard runs in the remote computer linked to ISONIC PA AUT Platform. At that stage phased array, conventional pulse echo and TOFD probes connected to ISONIC PA AUT Platform are manipulated over appropriate test blocks in order to provide settings ensuring detection of variously located and oriented reference reflectors. Ultrasonic Setup Wizard guides through: Phased Array Settings screens for calibration of firing / receiving aperture and phasing, firing pulse amplitude and duration, gain, gates, etc. for each inspection zone designated for phased array probes located from both sides of the weld - downstream (DS) and upstream (US) positions Conventional and TOFD Probes Channels Settings screen for calibration of firing pulse amplitude and duration, gain, etc according to inspection schemes to be implemented Settings Coupling Monitors for Phased Array and Conventional Channels screens Strip Chart Configuration screen for selecting horizontal position of each strip and vertical alignment of strips according to probes positioning along the weld. It is possible to perform scanning of calibration block with generating of reference strip chart record and further analysis of captured signals Ultrasonic Setup Wizard is finished with creation of complete Inspection Setup File; inspection becomes possible at any moment after said file is uploaded into scanning routine Scanning Whilst scanning the superimposed A-Scan data obtained by phased array probes for each zone and A-Scan data captured by conventional pulse echo and TOFD probes is transferred to remote computer along with corresponding coordinates. Remote computer provides on line raw data recording and strip chart imaging accompanied with presentation of position of scanner on the weld. Operator may monitor live A-Scans for any strip. Inspection results file compressing all raw data is created automatically on completion of scanning Postprocessing At postprocessing stage it is possible to play back all captured A-scan and to proceed with defects marking, sizing, and evaluation Service Functions Motor setting and encoder calibration is performed in dialogue mode through simple user interface Each probe either phased array, conventional pulse echo, or TOFD may be driven independently through appropriate pulser receiver. This feature is very useful for various purposes such as verification of wedges, studying of phased array focusing effects, etc