Phased array systems pulse and receive from multiple elements of an array. These elements are pulsed in such a way as to cause multiple beam components to combine with each other and form a single wave front traveling in the desired direction. Similarly, the receiver function combines the input from multiple elements into a single presentation.
Because phasing technology permits electronic beam shaping and steering, it is possible to generate a vast number of different ultrasonic beam profiles from a single probe assembly, and this beam steering can be dynamically programmed to create electronic scans:
This enables the following capabilities:
- Software control of beam angle, focal distance, and beam spot size. These parameters can be dynamically scanned at each inspection point to optimize incident angle and signal-to-noise for each part geometry.
- Multiple-angle inspection can be performed with a single, small, multi-element probe and wedge, offering either single fixed angles or a scan through a range of angles.
- These capabilities provide greater flexibility for inspection of complex geometries and tests in which part geometry limits access.
- Multiplexing across many elements allows motionless high-speed scans from a single transducer position. More than one scan may be performed from a single location with various inspection angles.
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What are the advantages of phased array testing as compared with conventional UT? >>