ISONIC 2009 UPA-Scope

Portable Ultrasonic Phased Array Flaw Detector and Recorder

THE VERSATILITY OF ULTRASONICS

Phased Array Modality Conventional UT and TOFD Modalities
 64/64 phased array electronics – independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture,  1, or 8, or 16 additional conventional channels,
parallel A/D conversion and on-the-fly real time digital phasing each allows single / dual mode of operation
 Phased array pulser receiver with image guided ray tracing  Thickness B-Scan
 Cross-sectional B-Scan (E-Scan), Sector Scan (S-Scan), Tandem-B-Scan viewing  Flaw detection Angle / Thickness / Skip
accompanied with standards compliant A-Scan / Gate based evaluation Corrected B-Scan
 Thickness / Skip Correction for B-Scan / S-Scan viewings  CB-Scan
 Gain per Focal Law Control providing Angle Gain Compensation for S-Scan and other  TOFD
applicable compensations for wedge / delay sound path and losses variation, in-  Strip Chart
equivalency of array elements, etc  Stripped C-Scan
 DAC/TCG per focal law adjustment  Parallel / Sequential Firing and A/D conversion
 3D data presentation through composing of Top (C-Scan), Side, End Views  DAC, DGS, TCG
 Dealing with diffracted and mode converted signals – defects sizing and pattern  FFT signal analysis
recognition (delta technique, crack depth meter, etc)
 100% raw data capturing  Built-in encoder port  Ethernet and 2 X USB Ports
 Sealed keyboard and mouse  Powerful off-line data analysis software tools  Remote control
 Light rugged case  Large (8.5”) bright touch screen  Direct printout

Sonotron NDT
4, Pekeris str., Rabin Science Park, Rehovot, 76702, Israel
Phone:++972-(0)8-9311000 Fax:++972-(0)8-9477712
www.sonotronndt.com
General
ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope uniquely combines phased array, single- and multi-channel conventional UT, and TOFD modalities
providing 100% raw data recording and imaging. Along with portability, lightweight, and battery operation this makes it suitable for
all kinds of every-day ultrasonic inspections
Phased array modality is performed by powerful 64:64 channel phased array electronics with independently adjustable emitting
and receiving aperture, each may consist of 1 through 64 elements. Each channel is equipped with it’s own A/D converter.
Parallel A/D conversion and ”on-the-fly” digital phasing are provided for every possible composition and size of the emitting and
receiving aperture. Thus implementation of each focal law is completed within single pulsing / receiving cycle providing maximal
possible speed of forming focal-law-resulting superimposed A-Scans
Depending on configuration ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope additionally carries 1, 8, or 16 independent pulsing-receiving channels to
fulfill conventional UT, and TOFD modalities; each channel is capable for single and dual modes of operation
High ultrasonic performance is achieved through firing phased array, TOFD, and conventional probes with bipolar square wave
initial pulse. Duration and amplitude of the initial pulse are wide-range-tunable. Initial pulse may reach 300 V pp for phased array
and 400 V pp for conventional channels. Special circuit provides high stability of the amplitude and shape of the initial pulse and
boosts all its’ leading and falling edges. This significantly improves signal to noise ratio so the analogue gain of each channel is
controllable over 0…100 dB range
Large 8.5” bright screen provides fine resolution for all types of data presentation defined by whole variability of modalities and
sub-modalities implemented by ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope

Phased Array Modality

Phased array pulser receiver is controlled through intuitive
regular ultrasonic flaw detector operating surface, which is
additionally equipped with ray trace imaging for composing
emitting / receiving aperture and controlling focal law. Type of
wave generated in the material is controlled through simple
entering of the appropriate value for ultrasonic velocity. It is
possible to enter material thickness to provide ray tracing
considering interaction of ultrasonic beam with surfaces of the
object
Groups of phased array probe elements composing emitting and
receiving aperture may be fully or partially matching or totally
separated. Every composition of emitting / receiving aperture
allows creating of focal laws for radiation and detection of the
same or various types of ultrasonic wave
Regular way of signal evaluation (gating, automatic
measurements of echo amplitudes, reflector coordinates, etc) is
fully applicable to the A-Scans composed through the
implementation of each focal law; DAC and TCG may be created
either experimentally or theoretically through entering dB/mm
(dB/inch) factor. Therefore signals obtained by phased array
probe may be evaluated in full compliance with conventional UT
codes and procedures

B-Scan (E-Scan) is obtained through electronic shift of

predetermined emitting / receiving aperture within entire linear
array comprising more elements than aperture size. Whilst in the
B-Scan mode the incidence angle is fixed
Sensitivity of each element of the phased array probe may
deviate in a certain range. It is possible to compensate the
deviation with use of gain per focal law control feature providing
correction of analogue gain for each position of the aperture
used whilst forming B-Scan
On obtaining an indication on the B-Scan mouse cursor or
special marker may be placed over to reproduce corresponding
A-Scan and proceed with signal gating and evaluation in
accordance with conventional codes and procedures
B-Scan may be obtained for any type of ultrasonic wave entered
into material at any feasible incidence angle with / without use of
wedges or delay lines along with linear array probe
Sector Scan (S-Scan) is formed through electronic control of
incidence angle whilst size and positioning of emitting / receiving
aperture are fixed
Transparency of boundary between phased array probe and
material, wedge sound path and losses, as well as effective
dimensions of the emitting / receiving aperture depend on the
incidence angle significantly. Gain per focal law control feature
allows precise angle gain compensation within entire beam
steering range

On obtaining an indication on the S-Scan mouse cursor or

special marker may be placed over to reproduce corresponding
A-Scan and proceed with signal gating and evaluation in
accordance with conventional codes and procedures
S-Scan may be obtained for any type of ultrasonic wave with /
without use of wedges or delay lines along with linear array
probe
Skip-corrected S-Scan presentation provides imaging of the real
defect position
Tandem B-Scan mode is very useful for the detection of vertical
cracks in welds, plates, tube and vessel walls, etc. It is
implemented with use of one 64-elements linear array probe and
wedge
After entering material thickness and defining a grid dividing
object’s cross section into small square cells ISONIC 2009 UPA
Scope determines tandem insonification strategy automatically
by such a way that focal points of emitting and receiving aperture
do match in the center of each cell in subsequent pulsing
receiving cycles. Gain per focal law control feature allows
individual gain per shot setting in order to equalize overall
sensitivity for the variety of incidence angles, sound path lengths
and losses in the wedge / material used to insonify whole cross
section of the material
For each pulsing receiving cycle time base of the A-Scan is re-
arranged automatically to provide appearance of possible
echoes from insonified cells at 50%-position and corresponding
narrow gate is formed as well. Recorded echo heights are
represented on the Tandem B-Scan image through amplitude-
palette coloring of insonified cells
On obtaining an indication on the Tandem B-Scan mouse cursor
or special marker may be placed over in order to reproduce
corresponding A-Scan and ray trace indication

Every cross-sectional image data either B-Scan, S-Scan or

Tandem B-Scan may be stored for further off-line analysis and
data reporting purposes – complete raw data set is stored into a
file making it possible playing-back A-Scans, measurements, etc
3D Data Presentation – Top View (C-Scan), Side View, End
View may be obtained through line scanning with linear array
probe at rectangle to the elements count direction
Time based or true-to-location data recording may be provided
for all types of cross-sectional insonification, either B-Scan, S-
Scan, or Tandem B-Scan
C-Scan Top View image provides both distance and amplitude
map modes
On case of scanning with 0-degree incidence angle Side and
End Views may represent thickness profile

Inspection for vertical cracks Weld inspection

Tandem B-Scan combined with line scanning Shear wave S-Scan combined with line scanning

Thickness mapping of aircraft skin Inspection of composites

B-Scan combined with line scanning B-Scan combined with line scanning
Every 3D data set may be stored for further off-line analysis and
data reporting purposes – complete raw data set is stored into a
file making it possible recomposing of Top, Side, End Views of
the material, recovery of all cross-sectional views obtained
during scanning, playing-back A-Scans, measurements, etc
Dealing with diffracted and mode converted signals – defects sizing and pattern recognition
ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope allows simple one-probe-implementation of various practical procedures related to defects sizing and
pattern recognition, the typical examples are:
Delta-technique Sizing of near surface crack
Emitting shear / receiving both shear and longitudinal wave signals Receiving back echo and tip diffraction signal

Conventional UT and TOFD modalities

For single conventional channel operation ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope provides fully featured A-Scan inspection as well as line
scanning recording, imaging and off-line analysis of the following types: thickness B-Scan; flaw detection B-Scan for angle beam
and straight beam probes; CB-Scan for guided, surface, and shear wave probes inspections; TOFD. This fully covers scope of
functions implemented by very well known ISONIC 2005 / ISONIC STAR / ISONIC 2020 portable ultrasonic flaw detector and
recorder of Sonotron NDT – www.sonotronndt.com/i2005.htm
ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope instruments equipped with 8 or 16 channels additionally provide multi-channel strip chart recording
with forming all known types of strips such as B-Scan, PE, TOFD, Coupling. For certain applications such as, for example, brush
probe scanning strip chart is convertible into C-Scan. This fully covers scope of functions implemented by very well known
ISONIC 2008 portable multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder of Sonotron NDT – www.sonotronndt.com/i2008.htm
Comprehensive off-line analysis and data reporting toolkit for all kinds of data captured using conventional UT and TOFD
modalities is built-in

Remote Control
Remote control of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope may be implemented through Ethernet port

Compliancy with international and national codes

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope is fully compliant with the following codes
 ASME Code Case 2541 – Use of Manual Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Section V
 ASME Code Case 2557 – Use of Manual Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4
Section V
 ASME Code Case 2558 – Use of Manual Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4
Section V
 ASTM 1961– 06 – Standard Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth Welds Using Zonal Discrimination
with Focused Search Units
 ASME Section I – Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
 ASME Section VIII, Division 1 – Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
 ASME Section VIII, Division 2 – Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. Alternative Rules
 ASME Section VIII Article KE-3 – Examination of Welds and Acceptance Criteria
 ASME Code Case 2235 Rev 9 – Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography
 Non-Destructive Examination of Welded Joints – Ultrasonic Examination of Welded Joints. – British and European
Standard BS EN 1714:1998
 Non-Destructive Examination of Welds – Ultrasonic Examination – Characterization of Indications in Welds. –
British and European Standard BS EN 1713:1998
 Calibration and Setting-Up of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique for the Detection, Location
and Sizing of Flaws. – British Standard BS 7706:1993
 WI 00121377, Welding – Use Of Time-Of-Flight Diffraction Technique (TOFD) For Testing Of Welds. – European
Committee for Standardization – Document # CEN/TC 121/SC 5/WG 2 N 146, issued Feb, 12, 2003
 ASTM E 2373 – 04 – Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
 Non-Destructive Testing – Ultrasonic Examination – Part 5: Characterization and Sizing of Discontinuities. – British
and European Standard BS EN 583-5:2001
 Non-Destructive Testing – Ultrasonic Examination – Part 2: Sensitivity and Range Setting. – British and European
Standard BS EN 583-2:2001
 Manufacture and Testing of Pressure Vessels. Non-Destructive Testing of Welded Joints. Minimum Requirement
for Non-Destructive Testing Methods – Appendix 1 to AD-Merkblatt HP5/3 (Germany).– Edition July 1989
 ISONIC 2009 PA UPA-Scope –Technical Data
Phased Array Functionality
Pulse Type: Bipolar Square Wave
Initial Transition: 7.5 ns (10-90% for rising edges / 90-10% for falling edges)
Pulse Amplitude: Smoothly tunable (12 levels) 50V … 300 V pp into 50 
Half Wave Pulse Duration: 50…600 ns controllable in 10 ns step
Emitting aperture: 1…64
Phasing (emitting aperture): 0…100 s with 5 ns resolution
Master PRF: 10...5000 Hz controllable in 1 Hz resolution
Receiving Aperture: 1…64
Gain: 0...100 dB controllable in 0.5 dB resolution
Advanced Low Noise Design: 85 V peak to peak input referred to 80 dB gain / 25 MHz bandwidth
Frequency Band: 0.2 … 25 MHz Wide Band
A/D Conversion: 100 MHz 16 bit
Superimposing of receiving aperture signals: On-the-fly, no multiplexing involved
Phasing (receiving aperture): On-the-fly 0…100 s with 5 ns resolution
A-Scan Display Modes: RF, Rectified (Full Wave / Negative or Positive Half Wave)
DAC / TCG per focal law: Theoretical – through keying in dB/mm (dB/") factor
Experimental – through sequential recording echo amplitudes from variously distanced equal
reflectors
46 dB Dynamic Range, Slope  20 dB/s, Capacity  40 points
Available for Rectified and RF Display
Gates per focal law: 2 Independent Gates / unlimitedly expandable
Gate Start and Width: Controllable over whole variety of A-Scan Display Delay and A-Scan Range
in 0.1 mm /// 0.001" resolution
Gate Threshold: 5…95 % of A-Scan height controllable in 1 % resolution
Number of focal laws: 8192
Scanning and Imaging modes: Linear B-Scan – skip / thickness / angle corrected, Gain per Shot Control (GSC)
Sector Scan (S-Scan) – regular or skip / thickness corrected, Gain per Angle Control (GAC)
Tandem B-Scan – skip / thickness / angle corrected, Gain per Shot Control (GSC)
3D – Top (C-Scan), Side, End Views composition
Method of data storage: 100% raw data capturing

Pulser Receiver Channel for conventional and TOFD Probes

Number of Channels 1 or 8 or 16
Pulsing/Receiving Methods (for 8 or 16 Parallel - all channels do fire, receive, digitize, and record signals simultaneously
conventional channels): Sequential – cycles of firing, receiving, digitizing, and recording signals by each channel are separated
in time in a sequence loop
Pulse Type: Bipolar Square Wave
Initial Transition: 7.5 ns (10-90% for rising edges / 90-10% for falling edges)
Pulse Amplitude: Smoothly tunable (12 levels) 50V … 400 V pp into 50 
Half Wave Pulse Duration: 50…600 ns independently controllable in 10 ns step
Modes: Single / Dual
Master PRF: 10...5000 Hz controllable in 1 Hz resolution
Gain: 0...100 dB controllable in 0.5 dB resolution
Advanced Low Noise Design: 85 V peak to peak input referred to 80 dB gain / 25 MHz bandwidth
Frequency Band: 0.2 … 25 MHz Wide Band
A/D Conversion: 100 MHz 16 bit
Digital Filter: 32-Taps FIR band pass with controllable lower and upper frequency limits
A-Scan Display Modes: RF, Rectified (Full Wave / Negative or Positive Half Wave), Signal's Spectrum (FFT Graph)
DAC / TCG: Theoretical – through keying in dB/mm (dB/") factor
Experimental – through sequential recording echo amplitudes from variously distanced equal
reflectors
46 dB Dynamic Range, Slope  20 dB/s, Capacity  40 points
Available for Rectified and RF Display
DGS: Standard Library for 18 probes / unlimitedly expandable
Gates: 2 Independent Gates / unlimitedly expandable
Gate Start and Width: Controllable over whole variety of A-Scan Display Delay and A-Scan Range
in 0.1 mm /// 0.001" resolution
Gate Threshold: 5…95 % of A-Scan height controllable in 1 % resolution
Measuring Functions – Digital 27 automatic functions / expandable; Dual Ultrasound Velocity Measurement Mode for Multi-Layer
Display Readout: Structures; Curved Surface / Thickness / Skip correction for angle beam probes; Ultrasound velocity
and Probe Delay Auto-Calibration for all types of probes
Freeze (A-Scans and Spectrum Graphs): Freeze All – A-Scans and Spectrum Graphs / Freeze Peak – A-Scans / All measurements functions,
manipulating Gates, and 6dB Gain varying are available for frozen signals
Scanning and Imaging modes: Single Channel: Thickness Profile B-Scan, Cross-sectional B-Scan, Plane View CB-Scan, TOFD
Multi-Channel: Strip Charts of 4 types (Amplitude/TOFD P/E, Map, TOFD, Coupling)
Method of data storage: 100% raw data capturing

General Data
On-Board Computer CPU: AMD LX 800 - 500MHz
RAM: 512 Megabytes
Internal Flash Memory - Quasi HDD: 4 Gigabytes
Screen: Sun readable 8.5” touch screen 800  600
Controls: Sealed keyboard and mouse
Interface: 2  USB, Ethernet
Operating System: WindowsXP Embedded
Encoder interface: Incremental TTL encoder
Standard Length of one Line Scanning record: 50…20000 mm (2"…800"), automatic scrolling