Non-contact ultrasound and wireless telemetry - a step forward in remote NDT

With recent advances in wireless technology, a wireless telemetric link car t be attached to an ultrasonic sensor to provide data to a control data acq uisition unit at ail unlimited distance from the sensor this article descri bes a prototype system designed to facilitate remote NDT, utilising state-o f-the-art air-coupled ultrasonic ar array technology: and incorporating a w ireless telemetry link for transmission of test results to a distant data a cquisition station. This experimental system is configured for 2-D scans of carbon-fibre composite plates for assessing its performance in a represent ative NDT enviroment. Some of the design issues relating to wireless teleme try are highlighted. Real rest results based on 2-D data plots ai-e used to characterise the operation of the experimental system and draw important c onclusions for further development of an integrated and miniaturised wirele ss NDT system.