Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: Configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system is facilitated using an ultrasound response predicted by a simulation tool. In one embodiment, estimated material properties of an object to be inspected are input to the simulation tool. Also input to the simulation tool is at least one estimated property of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection. The simulation tool predicts the response of the object to ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer. This response is dependent upon the estimated material properties of the object to be inspected and the at least one estimated property of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic inspection system is then configured dependent upon a feature of the predicted response. The system may be configured, for example, by setting the position of a time gate, selecting an appropriate ultrasonic transducer, selecting the position of the transducer to achieve good focus, or selecting parameters for signal processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the level of a response signal from an ultrasound transducer is disclosed. During a calibration phase, a description of a gain profile of a level adjuster is set dependent upon an expected response signal for a type of object to be tested and the description is stored in memory. During a measurement phase for an object under test, a description of a gain profile is selected for the type of the object under test and a gain profile is determined from the selected description. The response signal from the object under test is passed through a level adjuster and the level of the response signal is adjusted dynamically in accordance with the gain profile. The description of the gain profile is selected with reference to an expected response either by operator interaction with a user interface or automatically.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the level of a response signal from an ultrasound transducer is disclosed. During a calibration phase, a description of a gain profile of a level adjuster is set dependent upon an expected response signal for a type of object to be tested and the description is stored in memory. During a measurement phase for an object under test, a description of a gain profile is selected for the type of the object under test and a gain profile is determined from the selected description. The response signal from the object under test is passed through a level adjuster and the level of the response signal is adjusted dynamically in accordance with the gain profile. The description of the gain profile is selected with reference to an expected response either by operator interaction with a user interface or automatically.

Abstract: Configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system is facilitated using an ultrasound response predicted by a simulation tool. In one embodiment, estimated material properties of an object to be inspected are input to the simulation tool. Also input to the simulation tool is at least one estimated property of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection. The simulation tool predicts the response of the object to ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer. This response is dependent upon the estimated material properties of the object to be inspected and the at least one estimated property of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic inspection system is then configured dependent upon a feature of the predicted response. The system may be configured, for example, by setting the position of a time gate, selecting an appropriate ultrasonic transducer, selecting the position of the transducer to achieve good focus, or selecting parameters for signal processing.

Abstract: Configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system is facilitated using an ultrasound response predicted by a simulation tool. In one embodiment, estimated material properties of an object to be inspected are input to the simulation tool. Also input to the simulation tool is at least one estimated property of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection. The simulation tool predicts the response of the object to ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer. This response is dependent upon the estimated material properties of the object to be inspected and the at least one estimated property of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic inspection system is then configured dependent upon a feature of the predicted response. The system may be configured, for example, by setting the position of a time gate, selecting an appropriate ultrasonic transducer, selecting the position of the transducer to achieve good focus, or selecting parameters for signal processing.

Abstract: Configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system is facilitated using an ultrasound response predicted by a simulation tool. In one embodiment, estimated material properties of an object to be inspected are input to the simulation tool. Also input to the simulation tool is at least one estimated property of an ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection. The simulation tool predicts the response of the object to ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer. This response is dependent upon the estimated material properties of the object to be inspected and the at least one estimated property of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic inspection system is then configured dependent upon a feature of the predicted response. The system may be configured, for example, by setting the position of a time gate, selecting an appropriate ultrasonic transducer, selecting the position of the transducer to achieve good focus, or selecting parameters for signal processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature-controlled ultrasonic inspection of an object. The temperature of a coupling medium between an ultrasonic transducer and an object under inspection is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature for which the attenuation of the ultrasonic energy in the coupling medium is reduced compared to the attenuation at an ambient temperature. This improves the efficiency of ultrasonic energy transport between the ultrasonic transducer and the object. The temperature of the object is controlled to simulate operating conditions more closely. An ultrasonic inspection system includes a temperature controller operable to maintain the temperature of the coupling medium and/or an object under inspection at a set temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature-controlled ultrasonic inspection of an object. The temperature of a coupling medium between an ultrasonic transducer and an object under inspection is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature for which the attenuation of the ultrasonic energy in the coupling medium is reduced compared to the attenuation at an ambient temperature. This improves the efficiency of ultrasonic energy transport between the ultrasonic transducer and the object. The temperature of the object is controlled to simulate operating conditions more closely. An ultrasonic inspection system includes a temperature controller operable to maintain the temperature of the coupling medium and/or an object under inspection at a set temperature.