Pulse compression techniques in ultrasonic non-destructive testing

The development of a pulse compression system applicable to ultrasonic flaw detection is described. The use of pulse compression technique permits a pulse-echo detection system to operate with long transmitted pulses for increased sensitivity, but without sacrificing resolution. The described system is economically implemented using an aluminium strip dispersive delay line. The operating system achieves a time-bandwidth product of 84 and sidelobe levels of —25 dB. Experimental evidence of the system's capabilities is presented.