Next Generation Phased Array UT

Total Focusing Method (TFM)

Gavin Dao and Alan Caulder

AOS, Cincinnati, OH

Dominique Braconnier and John Lorenz

TPAC, West Chester, OH
Introduction
• Preview of Advanced Imaging
• What is Full-Matrix Capture (FMC)?
• What is Total Focusing Method (TFM)?
– Standard TFM
– Migration
– Advanced FMC / TFM
– Adaptive TFM
• Images
• About AOS
• OEM-PA
Conventional Phased Array UT

Phased Array Linear Scan

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FMC/TFM

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Conventional PA vs FMC/TFM

FMC/TFM Conventional Phased Array

FMC/TFM: Some Benefits
• Beautiful Image!
• Like a drawing of the test piece
• Provides better perspective
• Vertical Resolution Improved
– See next video
• Lateral Resolution Improved
– 3 holes: Can see the small nuance
of 3 mm center to center and 4 mm
center to center
• Can see that the SDHs are 1 mm in
diameter.
• Understand images a lot easier
• Able to differentiate what is a real
defect vs geometry echoes

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 Our Technology

OEM-PA + FMC
OEM-MC Advanced Imaging
Multichannel UT FMC / TFM
16ch and 32ch Fast Data Rate at 140 MB/s!!!
OEM-PA
Phased Array UT
16/16, 32/32, 16/128, 32/128, 64/64
128/128 and 256/256

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 Advanced OEM Solutions (AOS)
• Open concept: customize to application
• OEM business model for cost effective solutions
• Phased Array UT – manufacturer of full range of
instruments from standard to cutting-edge
technology

www.aos-ndt.com
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OEMPA 128/128 with USB3
• Super Fast Data rate!
– 160 MB/s (for high frame rate)
• Full-Matrix Capture (FMC)
• Total Focusing Method (TFM)
– Standard TFM
– Migration TFM
– Advanced TFM
– Adaptive TFM
– And more… (TFMp, SURE, Non Linear)
• Utilizes GPU
– For faster TFM calculation speed
• Open!
– Access raw data and low level parameters

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OEM-PA 256/256
OEM-PA Configurations
Advanced PAUT 256/256
256/256 + FMC
256/256 + FMC + 160 MB/s
256/256 + Matrix Phased Array
• Super Fast Data rate!
– 160 MB/s
– Faster Scan Speeds
• DDF (Dynamic Depth Focusing)
– Zone Focusing + DDF
• 3D Focal Law Calculator API
– Matrix Phased Array Probes
– Custom MPA Designs
• CTUT
YES! – Proprietary Technique for High
YES! Speed In-Line inspections for
Bar/Tube industry.
YES! • Open!
YES! – Access raw data and low level
parameters
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Software
Use 3rd Party
Develop Your OR
Supported
Own Software
Software

AOS Provides…
• Software Development Kit (SDK)
• Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL)
• Application Programming Interface (API)
• Full control of Phased Array Parameters
• Receive each A-scan in a buffer that can be interfaced to your own software
• Full Documentation Set

• Customize: Create a simple dedicated application. Don’t get stuck with an overly complex
software where you only use 5% of the features
 Full-Matrix Capture (FMC)
Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4
Pulse
Pattern

Receive
Pattern

In this example, we have 4 elements…

4 x 4 = 16 Raw A-scans
More on FMC
Matrix of Transmit / Receive Raw A-scans
Receive elements
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ・・・
1
2
Transmit elements

3
4
5
6
7
…
More on FMC
• Not to confused with Matrix Phased Array
Receive elements
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ・・・
1
2
Transmit elements

3
4
5
6
7
…
Total Focusing Method (TFM)

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Mono-Static: Pulse/Echo

𝑁𝑁
2𝑟𝑟
𝑜𝑜 𝑥𝑥, 𝑧𝑧 = � 𝑦𝑦 , 𝑢𝑢 ,
𝑐𝑐 𝑖𝑖
𝑖𝑖=1

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Multi-Static

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Multi-Static
• Point of computation (x,z) => time of flight with constant velocity
• Reconstruction performed by focusing at each point (x,z) of the grid

• Flexible reconstruction grid :

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128el Probe with Alum Test Block

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Conventional Phased Array UT

Phased Array Linear Scan

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Conventional PA vs FMC/TFM

FMC/TFM Conventional Phased Array

FMC/TFM: Some Benefits
• Beautiful Image!
• Like a drawing of the test piece
• Provides better perspective
• Vertical Resolution Improved
– See next video
• Lateral Resolution Improved
– 3 holes: Can see the small nuance
of 3 mm center to center and 4 mm
center to center
• Can see that the SDHs are 1 mm in
diameter.
• Understand images a lot easier
• Able to differentiate what is a real
defect vs geometry echoes

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Advanced TFM
Advanced TFM
• Use GPU for faster
calculation time
• Efficient Pulse/Receive
method to capture
raw data
• Optimized post
processing
• Faster Frame Rates!!
• High resolution!
• Excellent SNR

Significant improvement over conventional

FMC and TFM technique!!
TFM Video: Vertical Resolution
FMC / TFM
EDM Notch Test Piece
Conventional PA
• Indication from
upper and lower tip.
• Center of slit is
Upper Tip Echo difficult to see.
• Can be easily
misinterpreted as
two separate defects
Lower Tip Echo or SDHs very close
together.
Side By Side Comparison
FMC / TFM Conventional PA

Upper Tip Echo

0° 10° 20° 30° 45°

Lower Tip Echo

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EDM Notch Test Piece
TFM Setup Wizard

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TFM Data Viewer

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Wave Modes: Pulse/Echo

Wave modes from

one setup and
data capture
Wave Modes: Pitch/Catch

Wave modes from

one setup and
data capture
Test Piece
Real Application: AUT Girthweld

Upstream Side
Pulse/Echo
Velocity and Geometry Matter!
Adaptive TFM

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FMC/TFM: Titanium
Amazing Near Surface Resolution!

FBH:
Diameter: 0.016” (0.4mm)
MTD: 0.060”(1.5mm)

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TFM Imaging: 1” Steel Bar

1” Thick
Vertical Crack 0.8”

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More about OEMPA
• Flexible and Open Concept
• Complete SDK
• Fully documented API with Source Code
• Compact Form Factor
• Cost Effective
• Ease of Integration
• Excellent Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• Advanced Features
OEMPA 64/64 is Small!!
• With Enclosure: 105mm x 124mm x 112mm
• Bare Module: 90mm x 110mm x 70mm
• Height x Width x Depth
 16/16
 32/32
 64/64
 16/128
 32/128
 128/128
 256/256

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 OEM-PA 256/256
OEM-PA Configurations
Advanced PAUT 256/256
256/256 + FMC
256/256 + FMC + 140 MB/s
256/256 + Matrix Phased Array
• Super fast data rate!
– 140 MB/s
– Faster scan speeds
• DDF (Dynamic Depth Focusing)
– Zone Focusing + DDF
• 3D Focal Law Calculator API
– Matrix Phased Array probes
– Custom MPA designs
• Volume Focusing
YES! – Proprietary technique for high
speed In-Line inspections for
YES! bar/tube industry
YES! • Open!
– Access raw data and low level
YES! parameters
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OEM
 Original Equipment Manufacturer
 Re-brand
 Create your own product
 Add value with your own unique solution

16/16
64/64
*I/O Board and Power
Supply Boards not shown.

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 OEM-PA LITE

Dimensions:
16/16 = 140 x 125 mm
32/32 = 140 x 165 mm
16/128 = 140 x 165 mm
32/128 = 140 x 180 mm
64/64 = 2 x 32/32 size

Small form factor

Easier integration into a custom portable enclosure

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OEMMC: Multi-Channel UT
• Board Dimensions = 11cm x 7cm
• 3 Boards must be stacked (approx 3.5cm). 3 boards PWS, IO and Probe
Connect also must be accounted for, but it doesn’t need to be stacked.
• Weight < 300g
• Power < 15W (Ways of improving this, please consult with AOS)
7cm

11cm

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General Purpose PA Software

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General Purpose PA Software

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Wizard GUI

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Wall Thickness Inspection

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Specific Weld Inspection SW

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Summary of Benefits
• Advanced Imaging
– FMC / TFM
• Standard Technology
– Phased Array and
multichannel UT
• Small Form Factor
• Open Platform
• Opportunity to
customize software
• OEM model
 Thank You!!
For More Details or Questions…

Gavin Dao
gavin.dao@aos-ndt.com

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