AN AUTOMATED DIGITAL BEAM PROFILE SYSTEM FOR ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER CHARACTERIZATION

An automated digital beam profile system (ADBP) which uses feedback mo tion control and image processing techniques is presented. The system consists of a three-dimensional mechanical scanner, a host personal co mputer ( PC), a PC plug-in pulser/receiver board, a PC plug-in digitiz er board and a PC plug-in motor controller board. The powerful softwar e package can automatically control and dynamically adjust the movemen t of a transducer to compensate for system mechanical discrepancy. It also combines the functions of a digital oscilloscope, a spectrum anal yser, a digital gate, image formation and analysis tools to become a f ully integrated transducer characterization system. Descriptions of th e system software and hardware, testing procedures and results for a t ransducer are also included.