Application of random signal correlation techniques to ultrasonic flaw detection

A system is described and analysed which applies random signal correlation techniques to ultrasonic flaw detection. The use of correlation and time integration techniques gives it a signal-to-noise ratio correlation gain of the order of 10⁴, and the use of a random transmitted signal whose range resolution is independent of its duration permits a peak-to-average transmitted power ratio of the order of unity. It is shown that random signal correlation systems should therefore be capable of much greater range and/or resolution than is possible with current pulse-echo systems.     

水下干式储存取样的乏燃料破损检测技术

介绍了通用的乏燃料破损检测方法, 分析了已有的乏燃料破损检测技术存在的缺陷, 针对其缺陷以及根据自身的需求设计了新的乏燃料破损检测工艺与工作流程, 并介绍了检测样品的测量及样品与乏燃料包壳状态的判断依据。 实际应用结果表明: 该技术可以在水下实现一次对一批乏燃料进行逐个取样, 每个样品对应一盒确定的乏燃料, 检测效率高; 该采样系统对乏燃料的操作在水下进行, 现场辐射防护容易满足。 In the present article, several previous methods for damage detection of spent fuel assembly, as well as the existing limitations of these methods are reviewed. A new sampling system, including the working procedure and operating schedule, was developed in order to meet the practical demands and to solve the disadvantages mentioned. The measurement method for sampling and the criterion practical results provided evidence that, in this system, each operating process could successfully achieve a sample for a single certain spent fuel assembly with high precision. Moreover, all the operations were carried out under water, which made the radiation protection much easier.     

An amplitude correlation and differencing method for the monitoring of flaws in repeat ultrasonic inspections

A new amplitude correlation and differencing (ACD) method for the detection of flaw changes using digital pulse-echo ultrasonic data is proposed. The ACD method is based on signal processing techniques applied to digitized pulse amplitudes from scans of the same transducer recorded during two separate ultrasonic inspections. Changes in flaws with a wide variety of sizes and other characteristics can be detected, provided the change is in a direction perpendicular to the centre line of the ultrasonic beam.Practical experience of this method was gained by analysis of ultrasonic data from two inspections of a weld, separated by a year. The effectiveness of the ACD method for flaw monitoring is compared with that of the 6 dB drop sizing method, before and after resolution improvement by the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT).     

Degenerate asymmetric quantum concatenated codes for correcting biased quantum errors

In most practical quantum mechanical systems, quantum noise due to decoherence is highly biased towards dephasing. The quantum state suffers from phase flip noise much more seriously than from the bit flip noise. In this work, we construct new families of asymmetric quantum concatenated codes (AQCCs) to deal with such biased quantum noise. Our construction is based on a novel concatenation scheme for constructing AQCCs with large asymmetries, in which classical tensor product codes and concatenated codes are utilized to correct phase flip noise and bit flip noise, respectively. We generalize the original concatenation scheme to a more general case for better correcting degenerate errors. Moreover, we focus on constructing nonbinary AQCCs that are highly degenerate. Compared to previous literatures, AQCCs constructed in this paper show much better parameter performance than existed ones. Furthermore, we design the specific encoding circuit of the AQCCs. It is shown that our codes can be encoded more efficiently than standard quantum codes.     

An improved automated ultrasonic NDE system by wavelet and neuron networks

Despite of the widespread and increasing use of digitized signals, the ultrasonic testing community has not realized yet the full potential of the electronic processing. The performance of an ultrasonic flaw detection method is evaluated by the success of distinguishing the flaw echoes from those scattered by microstructures. So, de-noising of ultrasonic signals is extremely important as to correctly identify smaller defects, because the probability of detection usually decreases as the defect size decreases, while the probability of false call does increase. In this paper, the wavelet transform has been successfully experimented to suppress noise and to enhance flaw location from ultrasonic signal, with a good defect localization. The obtained result is then directed to an automatic Artificial Neuronal Networks classification and learning algorithm of defects from A-scan data. Since there is some uncertainty connected with the testing technique, the system needs a numerical modelling. So, knowing the technical characteristics of the transducer, we can preview which are the defects that experimental inspection should find. Indeed, the system performs simulation of the ultrasonic wave propagation in the material, and gives a very helpful tool to get information and physical phenomena understanding, which can help to a suitable prediction of the service life of the component.     

Electronic circuit for high frequency and broad-band ultrasonic pulse-echo operation

A new concept in broad-band ultrasonic flaw detectors is presented, based on a principle which uses only a single fast voltage drop instead of a pulse-like excitation as the driving voltage. This enables unipolar pressure pulses to be generated with acoustically well-matched transducers. The basic electronic circuit essentially consists of Power-MOS-FETs with a fast switching time. With the circuit as described below and a borad-band PVDF transducer, a pulse duration of ultrasonic signals in water shorter than 50 ns is obtained.     

Detection limits for single small flaws and groups of flaws when using focussed ultrasonic transducers

The performance of ultrasonic imaging systems, using line-focussed transducers, was evaluated theoretically by employing a simple technique based on convolution. The analysis considered the response of single reflectors, which are mainly voids, and also multiple reflectors located both on a single plane and on multiple planes, which represent a porous layer or bond-line. The limits of detection for each of the above cases, in the presence of different levels of acoustic noise in the object under test were also calculated. The results presented are expressed as a function of a dimensionless flaw size, incorporating the ultrasonic frequency and beam F-number. The results can be used to identify the best match between ultrasonic equipment and a specific imaging problem. They can also serve to guide decisions regarding the most suitable detection method for use with the chosen equipment. If the inspection is properly designed, surprisingly small flaws could be reliably detected — even in objects where significant levels of incoherent acoustic noise are found. The method and results presented in this paper for line-focussed transducers fit qualitatively the case of spherically focussed transducers. The method is highly versatile and it can be extended to cover a range of problems, outside the scope of this paper, including, quantitatively, that of the spherically focussed transducer by employing a formulation which uses more computer time and memory.     

A new family of two-dimensional codes for optical CDMA systems

The design of a new family of two-dimensional single pulse per column codes for optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) networks is reported. The 1-D modified pseudo-noise codes have been known to be orthogonal and their generation and system design based on these codes is rather simple. But their performance is limited due to the bandwidth constraints if the code length increases. Hence, using these 1-D modified pseudo-noise codes, modified 2-D pseudo-noise matrix codes (MPMCs) are generated. The system performance is evaluated for two, three and four simultaneous users using the link with all the sources responsible for degradation included: attenuation, chromatic dispersion, non-linear refractive effects, non-linear scattering and four-wave mixing. The effect of the non-linear and lossy dispersive medium over the system performance is shown by plotting the BER with respect to the link length for the systems designed using encoders/decoders base on 1-D modified pseudo-noise codes and our MPMCs. The performance is compared for the two types of codes by finding the crosstalk due to interfering users simultaneously operating in the network.     

A novel encoder/decoder design scheme utilizing differential detection in OCDMA systems

In this paper, we report the use of differential detection in optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA) systems which use encoders and decoders based on unbalanced codes and utilize bipolar modulation/differential detection to demonstrate a significant improvement in system performance. Differential detection has been reported earlier also requiring a large number of one-chips in the code for (balanced codes) or with unbalanced codes with very long temporal dimensions requiring a large number of delay elements (either the delay lines in the ladder-type structures or the gratings in the multiple fiber gratings) making the encoder/decoder structures. We use single pulse per row codes to design our system and carry out the simulations for showing the results. The improved BER performance is achieved that can be traded for increasing the number of codes. Using optical simulation tool, the OCDMA system has been simulated for four users. The results of this system utilizing differential detection and another system that uses the same coding scheme but employing direct detection, for the same number of interfering users, are shown for comparison. The BER and the power penalty plots are shown for the two systems. Also, it is shown that performance degradation occurs due to the linear and non-linear effects of the fiber medium. The BER worsens more rapidly with link length for direct detection case, whereas for differential detection with an initial improvement of 8 dB, the increase in BER is insignificantly small for a link length of 500 km.     

基于配置关联关系的信息系统误配置检测技术

随着软件系统变得更加复杂和可配置,由于错误配置而导致的故障正成为一个关键问题。 这种故障通常会带来较为严重的经济损失、安全隐患和功能故障。 此外,对于这种故障的诊断和修复需要跨越软件本身及其运行环境进行分析,使得其困难且昂贵。本文基于配置项之间隐含的关联关系及其运行环境,设计了基于信息系统配置关联关系的配置错误检测系统技术,利用给定的大量样本配置训练,形成配置项关联关系与检测规则,通过发掘信息系统各组件配置项之间的关联关系并利用这种关联进行配置项交叉检验,能够有效检测系统的错误配置。通过模拟测试表明,本方法的错误配置检出率达到了90%以上,在大型企业中具有广泛的应用前景。     

Ultrasonic phased array controller for hyperthermia applications

Multiple and mechanically scanned ultrasound transducer systems have demonstrated the efficacy of using ultrasound to produce deep localized hyperthermia. The use of ultrasonic phased arrays has been proposed as an alternative to these systems. A phased array offers a more flexible approach to heating tumours in that the size, shape, and position of its focal region can be altered during the course of treatment in order to achieve the desired temperature distribution. This added flexibility comes at the cost of increased complexity of the hardware necessary to drive the transducer because each element requires its own amplifer with both phase and amplitude control. In order for phased arrays with large numbers of elements to be feasible for hyperthermia applications, the complexity of this circuitry must be minimized. This paper describes a circuit design which simplifies the electronics required to control a phased array transducer system for hyperthermia applications. The design is capable of controlling virtually any type of phased array transducer operating at frequencies less than 2 MHz. The system performance was verified through beam profile measurements using a 48-element tapered phased array transducer.     

Code-shifted reference transceiver for impulse radio ultra-wideband systems

In this paper, a novel type of transceiver for impulse radio ultra-wideband systems, the code-shifted reference transceiver, has been proposed to remove the delay element with an ultra wide bandwidth required by the transmitted reference transceiver. As compared to the frequency-shifted reference transceiver that removes the delay element through separating the reference and data pulse sequences with a group of analog carriers, the code-shifted reference transceiver separates the reference and data pulse sequences with a set of shifting and detection codes selected from Walsh codes. Therefore, the performance evaluations obtained from both theoretical analysis and computer simulations show that in conjunction with a much lower system complexity, the code-shifted reference transceiver can achieve a much better bit-to-error rate performance than the frequency-shifted reference transceiver can.     

Echo counting and echo integration with a sector scanning sonar

An investigation is described of the possible application of sector scanning sonar for measuring the spatial density of marine organisms. The two assessment techniques investigated are called echo counting and echo integration. These techniques have been used extensively with single transducer echo sounding equipment for fisheries assessment. One of the main limitations of single transducer assessment systems is that they cannot provide both high resolution and good volume coverage. However, an acoustic assessment system in which a sector scanning sonar is used can provide both. The problems of implementing the two assessment techniques when using a scanning sonar are discussed. The performance of the techniques is evaluated by calculating the normalized rms error in the estimate of spatial density they provide. It is shown that, under certain conditions, the sector scanning assessment will system provide an estimate with a significaantly smaller error than that obtained with a conventional single transducer system.     

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.     

不同旋转扫描次数对光声层析成像的影响

为了实现单元探测器高质量的快速光声图像重建,提出了不同旋转扫描次数对光声层析成像的影响方案。实验采用的光源为YAG激光器,波长为1 064 nm,重复频率为20 Hz,脉宽为7 ns,探测器为针状的PVDF膜水听器,接收直径为1 mm,得到了26个字母、12根头发丝、树叶骨架和模拟血管的光声重建图像。由仿真和实验结果表明,在不牺牲光声重建图像质量的前提下,单元探测器环形扫描一圈,均匀采集100个位置的信号,图像重建时间为5.903 s。该研究结果对于单元探测器的快速旋转扫描成像和环形阵列探测器阵元数的设计具有一定的指导意义。     

跑道线圈换能器在铁路重载货车探伤中的应用*

针对在线车轮超声探伤系统的工程应用,研究了跑道线圈电磁超声换能器由洛伦兹力换能机制在钢中产生的辐射声场。根据外磁场和线圈配置,将表面力源近似为非均匀的水平剪切力源,数值计算得到了此力源的辐射声场指向性图,并与实验结果进行比对,结果表明辐射的水平偏振横波具有中间强两侧弱的指向性,对理解跑道形电磁线圈超声换能器的辐射声场和在重载货车车轮辋裂缺陷探伤中的工程应用具有一定的指导意义。     

Ultrasonic flaw detection using radial basis function networks (RBFNs)

Ultrasonic flaw detection has been studied many times in the literature. Schemes based on thresholding after a previous matched filter use to be the best solution, but results obtained with this method are only satisfactory when scattering and attenuation are not considered. In this paper, we propose an alternative solution to thresholding detection method. We deal with the usage of different flaw detection methods comparing them with the proposed one. The experiment tries to determinate whether a given ultrasonic signal contains a flaw echo or not. Starting with a set of 24,000 patterns with 750 samples each one, two subsets are defined for the experiments. The first one, the training set, is used to obtain the detection parameters of the different methods, and the second one is used to test the performance of them. The proposed method is based on radial basis functions networks, one of the most powerful neural network techniques. This signal processing technique tries to find the optimal decision criterion. Comparing this method with thresholding based ones, an improvement over 25-30% is obtained, depending on the probability of false alarm. So our new method is a good alternative to flaw detection problem.     

基于频分信道双极性光码分多址实现研究

提出了采用光纤法-玻滤波器与电吸收调制器实现频域幅度编解码的频分信道双极性OCDMA系统方案.推导了系统模型理论公式,分析了系统信噪比对接收端探测误差、不同编解码系统和传输信道对系统性能的影响.仿真结果表明：比较高的信噪比有利提高接收端探测效果;系统容纳用户能力增强;系统有良好的相关特性;20 km的SMF搭配300 m的DCF传输系统明显优于20 Km的DSF传输系统.     

Microcomputer-based digital pulse compression system for ultrasonic NDT

A microcomputer-based digital pulse compression system suitable for ultrasonic non-destructive testing applications is described. By utilizing software for code generation as well as for correlation processing, this approach possesses a high degree of flexibility accommodating different types and lengths of transmission codes. The implemented system, which employs bi-phase modulation of the transmitter waveforms with m-sequences and Golay codes, provides significant signal-to-noise ratio enhancement with zero range sidelobes. Results from the operating system are in good agreement with theoretical predictions and confirm the feasibility of the method.     

非线性动力学方法在气候突变检测中的应用

快速、准确的检测气候突变, 对于我们认识气候系统的变化和对未来气候系统演变趋势的预测有着重要的现实意义和社会经济价值. 本文主要回顾了近年来非线性突变检测技术的主要研究进展及其在实际观测资料中的应用, 其中包括基于气候系统长程相关性的检测方法, 如滑动去趋势波动分析方法、滑动移除去趋势波动分析方法、滑动移除重标极差方法和指纹法等; 以及基于时间序列复杂性的检测方法, 如近似熵方法, Fisher信息和小波Fisher信息等. 此外, 本文还指出发展针对空间场的突变检测技术是未来一个可能的发展方向. 由于空间场所包含的气候系统的演变信息远高于单点时间序列, 空间场的突变检测技术将会使得对气候突变的检测时间大大缩短, 从而使得人们有足够的时间去采取行动, 以便为适应气候突变所带来的新挑战做好准备.