Abstract: An object information acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of transducer elements each configured to transmit an acoustic wave to an object, to receive reflected waves reflected from inside the object, and to convert the reflected waves into a time-series reception signal; and a processor configured to perform frequency domain interferometry combined with adaptive signal processing by using the reception signals output from the plurality of transducer elements and a reference signal so as to obtain acoustic characteristics at a plurality of positions located inside the object. The processor is configured to switch the reference signal to another reference signal at least once in accordance with a target position located inside the object while performing the frequency domain interferometry so as to obtain the acoustic characteristics at the plurality of positions located inside the object.

Abstract: Provided is a security surveillance system and method capable of separately detecting fire and intrusion situations on the basis of a sound field variation, including a sound generating device outputting, into a set security surveillance space, a multi-tone sound wave formed of a linear sum of sine waves having a plurality of frequency components, a sound receiving device obtaining sound field information for each frequency represented as sound pressure and a phase from a sound wave received in the security surveillance space, and a sound field signal processing device storing sound field information for each frequency obtained from the sound receiving device in a preparation mode, comparing the stored sound field information with current sound field information for each frequency output from the sound receiving device in a surveillance mode, and determining occurrence of a security situation.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for transmitting broadband sonar beams and receiving broadband sonar returned echoes with a low-cost transducer element mounted into a low-cost acoustic structure. By using a transducer element which is sufficiently thin, broadband can be achieved at a significant cost savings over existing methods and devices. Since the transducer element is sufficiently thin, a large portion of the signal energy is coupled transversely into the acoustic structure, resulting in a heavy acoustic load on the transducer element which in turn results in broadband operation. Broadband operation may be enhanced by at least partially enclosing the sufficiently thin transducer element within an aperture and/or a cap.

Abstract: A wideband sonar receiver is provided that includes: a selectable bandpass filter adapted to filter a received sonar signal to produce a filtered signal and a correlator adapted to correlate the baseband samples with baseband replica samples to provide a correlated signal. In addition, the wideband sonar receiver may include a shaping filter to shape unshaped received pulses. Finally, a variety of sonar processing algorithms are described with regard to reducing clutter and interference, target detection, and bottom detection.

Abstract: To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.

Abstract: An echolocation device assists visually impaired persons to navigate their environment. The echolocation device comprises a micro control unit, a power source operably connected to the micro control unit, a band pass preamplifier operably connected to the micro control unit, a power amplifier operably connected to the band pass preamplifier, a piezoelectric speaker operably connected to the power amplifier, and a user interface operably connected to the micro control unit. The device emits sound waves that echo off nearby surrounding objects. The visually impaired person listens to the echoes to determine the location or size of the surrounding objects.

Abstract: A progressive beamformer in an imaging system includes a number of stages. A first stage delays and combines a number of received data streams to align the streams to a point of interest on a first beamline. The first stage feeds a number of subsequent stages that operate to buffer and re-delay at least a portion of the data streams received from a previous stage in order to align the data streams to a point of interest on a new beamline. In one embodiment, each stage operates to reduce the number of data streams that are passed to a subsequent stage without suffering from grating lobes. A beam reclamation process includes a number of stages that receive data streams from end elements in order to produce reclaimed beams that are added to beamline produced in a mainline beamforming process in order to produce output beamlines.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing a target, wherein the target includes one or more objects of interest possibly located among a plurality of objects. The method comprises the following stages: obtaining and processing sonar or radar raw data; tracking the objects of the plurality using the processed raw data; grouping the tracked objects by associating them into one or more groups, while hierarchically arranging the tracked objects in the groups and controllably applying prior knowledge at least about characteristic features and/or constraints of the target's class; classifying the groups to classes and determining whether any of the groups matches to the target's class.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus including: a plurality of receiving elements receiving an acoustic wave propagating from an object and converting the acoustic wave into an electrical signal; a delaying unit aligning phases of electrical signals of M number of channels outputted from the plurality of receiving elements; an eliminator reducing the electrical signals of M number of channels to electrical signals of L number of channels; a calculator calculating Nb number of output signals corresponding to low-frequency components of a complex signal based on the electrical signals outputted from the eliminator; and a signal processor performing beam formation according to adaptive signal processing using output signals outputted from the calculator, wherein positive integers M, L, and Nb satisfy M>L>=2(Nb?1).

Abstract: A method of determining a state of biofouling of a membrane is provided. The membrane is contained within a flow cell and the flow cell has an outer surface coupled to a tranducer, The method comprises introducing inorganic particles into the flow cell such that the inorganic particles form a part of a top surface of a foulant layer on the membrane. The transducer then emits acoustic waves towards the membrane and an acoustic signature of reflected sound waves are detected. A state of biofouling of the membrane is determined based on the detected acoustic signature. A method and an apparatus are also provided for determining a state of biofouling in commercial membrane modules such as spiral wounded membrane modules.

Abstract: A driving assist apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving assist apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting a transmission wave, a receiver for receiving a reflected wave, an obstacle presence determination section for detecting a presence of an obstacle in the surrounding of the vehicle based on the reflected wave, a measurement section for measuring a frequency of phase delay and advance of the reflected wave with respect to a reference signal, and a detection section for detecting the obstacle having a specific relation with the vehicle based on the presence of the obstacle determined by the obstacle presence determination section and the frequency of delay and the frequency of advance measured by the measurement section.

Abstract: A sonar transmitter includes digital logic that controls switches coupled to a primary coil of a transformer. The switches are driven to produce at least one voltage pulse across a secondary coil for the transformer to produce a series of voltage pulses approximating the desired signal. The transformer may comprise: a secondary coil having a plurality of windings arranged into a first section, a middle section, and a final section; and a primary coil winding wound only with the secondary coil windings forming the middle section.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining one or more wave characteristics from a moving platform are disclosed. A sonar system, such as an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, can profile the water motion relative to the platform, and an earth reference can determine a measure of the platform motion relative to a fixed earth reference. Both water profile and earth reference measurements can be synergistically employed to compensate for motion of the platform. Directional wave spectra and non-directional wave spectrum can be computed and translated via linear wave theory to surface height spectra and used to calculate characteristics, such as significant wave height, peak period, and peak direction.

Abstract: A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are implemented for evaluating underground structures and objects, particularly relatively shallow underground structures and objects, using a seismic or acoustic source signal and a resulting seismic or acoustic wave. A discrete or unitary apparatus incorporates both a seismic source transducer and a receiver transducer within a common housing or frame. A unitary seismic probe includes a ground engaging member and a seismic source mechanically coupled to the ground engaging member. The probe further includes a sensor assembly mechanically coupled to the ground engaging member and configured to sense ground vibrations resulting from an impact to the ground engaging member by the seismic source.

Abstract: The ultrasound imaging tool for rock cores includes an ultrasound generator that can be inserted at selected depths into a drilled bore in a geological core sample. An array of ultrasound receivers are placed completely around the outer surface of the core sample. The ultrasound generator produces the ultrasound waves at various depths inside the bore, and the data obtained by the ultrasound receivers generates a complete 3-D ultrasound image of the core sample.

Abstract: This technology relates to a signal processing device, a signal processing method, a recording medium, and a program capable of enabling appropriate beam forming with a simple configuration even when a positional relationship between a plurality of transducers included in a probe of an ultrasonic diagnostic device is not fixed. A reception BF unit calculates a phase difference indicating a relative positional shift between a plurality of transducers based on a difference between each phase difference of a signal of a reflective wave in each of a plurality of transducers of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from a transducer being a transmission target out of a plurality of transducers, relative positions of which are not fixed, and each known phase difference of the signal of the reflective wave in a plurality of transducers in a case in which an arrangement of a plurality of transducers is a reference arrangement.

Abstract: A method for efficiently achieving full-matrix ultrasonic data capture which includes the steps of providing an ultrasound array apparatus, the ultrasound array apparatus further comprising a probe, collecting data over a plurality of inspection locations, generating a plurality of data matrices, each of the data matrices reflecting data collected at the locations, and collecting, initially, a subset of a quantity of data needed for reconstruction of each of the inspection locations. In the method, as the probe moves from collection location to collection location, a data matrix at a prior collection location is gradually filled in as the probe moves to subsequent collection locations. In certain embodiments physical scanning of a probe with few elements is replaced by electronically scanning using an array with many elements.

Abstract: A subject information obtaining apparatus according includes: plurality of conversion elements configured to convert an elastic wave from a subject into a plurality of reception signals, a delay and sum unit configured to perform a delay and sum process by using the plurality of reception signals and output a plurality of scanning line signals, a scanning line synthesis unit configured to add the plurality of scanning line signals between adjacent scanning lines and output a plurality of synthesis scanning line signals, and an FDI adaptive processing unit configured to perform a frequency domain interferometry and an adaptive signal processing by using the plurality of synthesis scanning line signals and obtain a power intensity distribution.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements that each include a piezoelectric body; a fixing frame having a recess to which the ultrasonic element array substrate is fixed, and a perforated portion formed with a through hole by opening a part of the bottom face of the recess, wherein an element-formed surface of the ultrasonic element array substrate is faced to the perforated portion; an acoustic lens secured to the fixing frame so as to cover the perforated portion; and an acoustic matching layer formed of a resin being arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens, so as to secure them to each other. The acoustic lens and the fixing frame are in contact with each other, and the thickness of the acoustic matching layer is maintained at a fixed value.

Abstract: An example method for automatically characterizing an echo contained in an ultrasonic signal generated with an ultrasonic transducer can include receiving data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal, calculating an energy ratio of the ultrasonic signal and localizing the echo using the energy ratio. The method can include windowing a portion of the ultrasonic signal around the localized echo and calculating a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and a Hilbert envelop of the windowed portion. The method can include estimating M echo parameters from the FFT and the Hilbert envelope of the windowed portion, where each of the M parameter vectors includes a plurality of echo parameters, calculating M parametric echo models based on each of the M echo parameter vectors and iteratively minimizing a difference between the windowed portion of the ultrasonic signal and a sum of the M parametric echo models.

Abstract: A system including a host device and a measurement device ultrasonically coupled to the host device over a physical medium and method of operating the same has been introduced herein. In one embodiment, the system includes the host device including a first ultrasonic communicator configured to generate an ultrasonic command to measure a parameter of an object, a physical medium coupled to the host device and the measurement device coupled to the physical medium. The measurement device includes a second ultrasonic communicator configured to receive the ultrasonic command via the physical medium, and a sensor configured to measure a parameter of the object in response to the ultrasonic command to provide a sensed parameter, the second ultrasonic communicator being configured to transmit the sensed parameter to the host device via the physical medium.

Abstract: A robot system and a control method thereof in which, when a robot is located in a docking region, the robot calculates a distance by emitting infrared rays and detecting ultrasonic waves oscillated from a charging station, measures a distance from the charging station and performs docking with charging station. The distance between the robot and the charging station is precisely measured, thereby performing smooth and correct docking of the robot with the charging station. Further, the robot emits infrared rays only while performing docking with the charging station and thus reduces power consumption required for infrared ray emission, and wakes up a circuit in the charging station based on the infrared rays emitted from the robot and thus reduces power consumption of the charging station.

Abstract: Apparatus for adaptively scheduling ultrasound device actions includes a probe interface, a beamer, a receiver, a processor, and a memory. The probe interface may interface with probe units to transmit signals generated by the beamer to the probe units and to receive data signals from the probe units. The processor may be coupled to the probe interface, the beamer, and the receiver. The memory may store instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to generate a task list that includes a timed beam firing sequence and to signal to the beamer to generate signals to the probe units associated with the plurality of task actions. The task list may include a plurality of task actions associated with probe units, and the processor may signal to the beamer in accordance with the timed beam firing sequence. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: This specification relates to an active SONAR system comprising a transmitter, a transducer and an impedance matching circuit for expanding bandwidth and increasing a power factor value in sound and ultrasonic wave bands by mutually matching resonant frequencies of the transducer and the impedance matching circuit or a resonant frequency between the transducer and the impedance matching circuit using an electrical equivalent model corresponding to actual impedance data of the transducer and controlling the positions and the intervals of the frequencies at which reactance components of the transducer including the impedance matching circuit become zero, and an impedance matching method thereof. This allows for efficient driving in a broadband between the transmitter and the transducer in the active SONAR system, contributing to output power performance and detection performance of the active SONAR system.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring the compression travel and/or the compression rate of wheels and/or axles of vehicles, in particular of commercial vehicles, may include at least one sensor measuring in a contactless manner. The sensor device may include a radar and/or high-frequency sensor generating a beam, which is emitted and received after reflection at a reference and reflection surface.

Abstract: A sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) transducer system comprises a transmit element and a receive element. The transmit element may be formed from ceramic material and configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal into a body of water. The transmit element may include a first component configured to transmit the ultrasonic signal in a first direction and a second component configured to transmit the ultrasonic signal in a second direction. The receive element may be formed from polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) in the shape of a sheet of material and configured to receive a reflection of the ultrasonic signal after the ultrasonic signal is reflected from objects in the body of water. The receive element may include a first section configured to receive reflections from the first direction and a second section configured to receive reflections from the second direction.

Abstract: In certain aspects, this invention is a “control system” that detects and minimizes (or otherwise optimizes) an angle between vehicle centerline (or other reference axis) and vehicle velocity vector—as for JDAM penetration. Preferably detection is exclusively by optical flow (which herein encompasses sonic and other imaging), without data influence by navigation. In other aspects, the invention is a “guidance system”, with optical-flow subsystem to detect an angle between the vehicle velocity vector and line of sight to a destination—either a desired or an undesired destination. Here, vehicle trajectory is adjusted in response to detected angle, for optimum angle, e.g. to either home in on a desired destination or avoid an undesired destination (or rendezvous), and follow a path that's ideal for the particular mission—preferably by controlling an autopilot or applying information from navigation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an active sonar system including a transmitter; a transducer; and an impedance matching circuit, and a method of estimating an equivalent model parameter of a multi-mode transducer, wherein an electrical equivalent model parameter having a plurality of stages corresponding to each mode is estimated by estimating an individual mode impedance and a total mode impedance from multi-mode impedance data and obtaining an interference amount of adjacent modes, and an equivalent model modeled thereby for which an interference effect by a multi-mode is taken into consideration is used for the design of an impedance matching circuit to minimize actual model fabrication and effectively derive detailed design elements and the like, thereby allowing an integrated circuit design with peripheral electronic units for interfacing the sonar system.

Abstract: A beamforming method includes: generating a main beam signal by performing, with a focus on a first region, a delay and sum operation on receiving echo signals; generating a sub beam signal which has a low sensitivity to ultrasound signals reflected off the first region; and generating a narrow beam signal by (i) calculating a coefficient for narrowing an angle of the main beam signal, and (ii) multiplying the main beam signal by the coefficient, wherein in the generating of a sub beam signal, the sub beam signal is generated using a differential signal that is a difference between two beam signals each of which is generated by performing a delay and sum operation on the receiving echo signals, with a focus on a corresponding one of two regions of a subject which are different from the first region and are different from each other.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus is used that includes: a light source; a bundle fiber including a plurality of optical fibers; and a processor using an acoustic wave that is generated when light is irradiated on an irradiated surface of an object from an outputting unit of the bundle fiber, and acquiring information from the object, wherein outputting edges of a plurality of sub-bundles, each sub-bundle including a plurality of optical fibers, are arranged in the outputting unit of the bundle fiber, the plurality of sub-bundles include a first sub-bundle arranged in a central part of the outputting unit and a second sub-bundle arranged in a peripheral part of the outputting unit, and the number of optical fibers per unit area of the first sub-bundle is smaller than the number of optical fibers per unit area of the second sub-bundle.

Abstract: A fish finder system, comprising a sonar gadget, which communicates with a display device via digital wireless communication. The system contains a software product, which runs both on the sonar gadget and the display device, wherein the gadget part of the software is preferably adapted to run on an embedded microcontroller system and the user display device part of the software is preferably a downloadable application adapted to run on portable communication devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptops or the like. Said display device part of the software is adapted not only to visualize the obstacles with indication of depth, size and movement, but also provide additional functionality, such as access to a camera device, digital maps and GPS, social network accounts, weather information and forecast, calendar with notes, information on moon phases and other kinds of information found on the Internet. Both software parts allow update functionality.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic transducers and processing electronics to control emission of ultrasonic energy and to process and digitize returned echo data. Processed echo data can then be transmitted over a digital interface for display.

Abstract: The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus comprising a plurality of conversion elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into electrical signals, a correlation calculator which calculates correlation data by using the plurality of electrical signals output from the plurality of conversion elements, an average correlation calculator which calculates an average correlation matrix by extracting a plurality of submatrices from the correlation data and averaging the submatrices, and an adaptive signal processor which generates power distribution by performing adaptive signal processing by using the average correlation matrix and calculating the power of each target position, wherein the correlation calculator calculates the correlation data by obtaining the correlation of input signals that are separated by at least one input signal among the input signals.

Abstract: A method for measuring a mechanical property of a subject includes using an ultrasonic transducer to apply ultrasonic vibration pulses to a vibration origin in the subject in an on-off time sequence in order to impart a harmonic motion at a prescribed frequency to the subject, and when the vibration pulses are off, preferably using the same transducer to apply ultrasonic detection pulses to a motion detection point and to receive echo signals therefrom in order to sense the harmonic motion on the subject at the motion detection point The ultrasonic detection pulses are interspersed with the vibration pulses and can be applied in a non-uniform manner From the received ultrasonic echo signals, a harmonic signal is detected and a characteristic such as amplitude or phase of the detected harmonic signal is calculated using a Kalman filter or interpolation.

Abstract: For echo tracking, it is important to allocate an echo to an echo track. The relative sign of the amplitude of the echo in relation to a corresponding amplitude of the transmission signal or the relative phase of the echo in relation to a corresponding phase of the transmission signal are determined and echo allocation is based on the result of this determination.

Abstract: A transmission circuit transmits an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic vibrator by driving a terminal voltage of the ultrasonic vibrator using a first pulse signal and then further driving the terminal voltage using a second pulse signal having an opposite phase to the first pulse signal. At least one of a pulse number of the second pulse signal and a pulse level of the terminal voltage is arbitrarily set.

Abstract: The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into received signals, a delay unit which matches phases of the received signals, a complex converter which converts the received signals into complex signals, a complex covariance matrix calculator which periodically obtains a complex covariance matrix by using a complex signal group configured from a plurality of phase-matched complex signals, an eliminator which eliminates the number of bits of input data configured from at least either the complex signal group or matrix elements, and an electric power calculator which calculates a power of target positions, wherein the eliminator eliminates the number of bits by performing common level conversion processing on all input data relating to one complex covariance matrix.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for the insonification of an environment or medium, which is designed to generate a beam of focussed waves around a point in a so-called focus zone (20), used for imaging the medium or changing the properties of the medium, with the insonification device (1) having an intrinsic or extrinsic support structure on which is installed a network of a predetermined number of ultrasound transducers (12) that are designed to be controlled independently for generation of the focussed wave beam. According to the invention, the transducers (12) used for the generation of the focussed wave beam are located in a homogeneous spatial distribution along at least two concentric spirals (11) that are wound onto a three-dimensional concave area (10) whose shape and size are chosen to allow optimal focusing of the beam at a predetermined focal length, and whose concave side is oriented toward the focus zone (20).

Abstract: A product recognition system comprises a product image data collector arranged to capture image data which is representative of an image of a product item. The product recognition system also comprises an acoustic energy source arranged to emit acoustic energy towards the product item. The product recognition further comprises a product acoustic data collector arranged to (i) capture acoustic energy deflected from the product item, (ii) process the captured acoustic data which has been deflected from the product item to provide product acoustic data which is representative of one or more characteristics of the product item, and (iii) compare the product acoustic data with a store of reference acoustic data to provide one or more subsets of items against which the captured image data can be compared to identify the product item.

Abstract: A method for characterizing ultrasound scatterers in a medium comprises receiving ultrasound data representing a region of interest comprising a plurality of scatterers in a medium, the plurality of scatterers including aggregates of the scatterers. The ultrasound data is modeled data using an effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model, the structure factor model defining the spatial organization and concentration of the aggregates. The modeled ultrasound data is compared to theoretical data obtained with the effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model. From the comparison, dimensional data of the aggregates of the scatterers and the volume concentration of scatterers in the medium is determined.

Abstract: A system, method and device are provided for detecting the presence of, and/or obtain information about, a replaceable component for a host system. A host system has an ultrasonic transducer pair that detects the presence of, and/or obtains information about, a replaceable component for a host system through receipt or non-receipt of an ultrasonic signal. The replaceable component includes a key or other feature that either allows the transmission of a transmitted ultrasonic signal, or which does not allow the reception of the transmitted ultrasonic signal, depending on the host configuration.

Abstract: Safety systems and methods are provided for use in a vehicle with a closure that defines a pivoting range when open. The safety system includes a sensor configured to collect data associated with an object in a target zone at least partially surrounding the vehicle; and a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode based on a vehicle characteristic. The processor is configured to, in the first mode, detect the object and generate a first warning based on the object; and in the second mode, detect the object and determine a collision threat between the object and the pivoting range of the closure, and generate a second warning based on the collision threat.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a supporting film, and a piezoelectric element. The substrate includes an opening. The supporting film is configured on the substrate to cover the opening. The piezoelectric element is configured at a part of the supporting film. The part overlaps with the opening in a planar view in a thickness direction of the substrate. A thickness of the part of at a center of gravity in the planar view is smaller than a thickness of an outer edge portion of the part. The outer edge portion is closer to the substrate than the center to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transducer assembly (1) for an echoscope, comprising a first row of ultrasonic transducers (2) and a second row of ultrasonic transducers (3), said transducer assembly (1) combining the advantages of a linear transducer and of transducers with various rows of transducers which are arranged at an angle with respect to one another, due to the fact that the first row of ultrasonic transducers (2) forms part of a first transducer element (4), due to the fact that the second row of ultrasonic transducers (3) forms part of a second transducer element (5) and due to the fact that the first transducer element (4) and the second transducer element (5) are detachably connectable to one another in at least two positions to form a composite transducer element (6).

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave transceiving device is provided. The device includes a transmitter for transmitting at least one kind of first detection data ultrasonic signal and a plurality of kinds of second detection data ultrasonic signals, a receiver for receiving echo signals of the first and second detection data ultrasonic signals, and first and second information generators for generating first and second information based on the echo signal of the first and second detection data ultrasonic signals, respectively. The transmitter transmits the first and second detection data ultrasonic signals which transmission period of the first detection data ultrasonic signal intervenes between transmission periods of the second detection data ultrasonic signals in time axis. The second information generator generates the second information by using the echo signals of the second detection data ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a plurality of acoustic beamformers, where each of the plurality of acoustic beamformers including a plurality of acoustic transmitter elements. The system also includes at least one controller configured for causing each of the plurality of acoustic beamformers to generate an acoustic beam directed to a point in a volume of interest during a first time. Based on a reflected wave intensity detected at a plurality of acoustic receiver elements, an image of the volume of interest can be generated.

Abstract: The invention presents methods and instrumentation for measurement or imaging of a region of an object with waves of a general nature, for example electromagnetic (EM) and elastic (EL) waves, where the material parameters for wave propagation and scattering in the object depend on the wave field strength. The invention specially addresses suppression of 3rd order multiple scattering noise, referred to as pulse reverberation noise, and also suppression of linear scattering components to enhanced signal components from nonlinear scattering. The pulse reverberation noise is divided into three classes where the invention specially addresses Class I and Class II 3rd order multiple scattering that are generated from the same three scatterers, but in opposite sequence.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a reinforcing member and a ventilation passage. The substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. The ultrasonic transducer elements are respectively disposed at the openings on a first surface of the substrate. The reinforcing member is fixed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate to reinforce the substrate. Through the ventilation passage, internal spaces of the openings and an external space of the substrate are in communication with each other.

Abstract: A method for evaluating installation of blind rivets including measuring the “cycle time” represented “y0”, transmitting sound waves through the blind rivet installed in the structure, measuring the “travel time” represented “x0”, relating “travel time” and “cycle time”, and obtaining a pair of times (x0,y0), providing a time relation pattern establishing a borderline between an area of suitable rivets and an area of unsuitable rivets, the border represented y=f(x), so for cycle time values greater than y=f(x), it is considered a “suitable area”, for cycle time values less than y=f(x), it is considered an “unsuitable area”, representing pair (x0,y0) in the graphic representation and verifying if the value of y0 is greater or less than the value of y=f(x0), classifying installation of the rivet as suitable or unsuitable according to the verification.