• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics S
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• v.35S no.5
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• pp.111-116
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• 1998

In this paper, we proposed method of performance enhancement of the ultrasonic imaging system using quadrature detector and implementation of the software quandrature detector. Since the quadrature detector is more sensitive than the enbelope detector of the conventional ultrasonic imaging syustem, we are able to achieve the contrast enhnacement. Although hardware quadrature detector is able to process high sped data acquisition, its hardware has complexity. In order to show the performance of the software quadrature we have constructed ultrasonic signal processing system and obtained the reflected signal from the aluminum specimen using A/D convertor. Our experimental results showed that image of the quadrature detector is better than that of the envelope detector.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.798-802
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• 2007

The synthetic focusing in the ultrasonic imaging systems has been formed in the way that one element transmits a circular wave and receives an echo signal. The amplitude of the signal transmitted from one element is too small to propagate a long distance so that the SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) is very low in an image obtained by the synthetic focusing. To solve this problem, a defocusing method which uses several elements has been proposed. In this method, the SNR is improved due to using several elements to transmit the circular wave. But if the number of transmitting elements increases, the phase distortion is severe in the defocusing method. In this paper, we propose a new method that can generate a circular wave using a lot of elements without phase distortion. At first, we generate limited plane waves with different propagation angles and then superpose them to make a circular wave. We show that the circular wave can be used to improve SNR in the real-time 3D ultrasonic imaging as well as the synthetic focusing through computer simulation and experiments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.721-722
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• 2010

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 2011

Ultrasonic guided waves have been widely utilized for long range inspection of structures. Recently, many researchers have paid attention to the tomographic imaging using guided wave for the diagnosis of plate-like structures because group velocity of guided waves is changed by central frequency of transducer and thickness of plate. Currently, Delay and Sum imaging technique and MVDR(Minimum Variance Distortionless Response) imaging technique are performed. So the performance of these two imaging techniques are investigated in this paper.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.299-306
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• 2015

A conventional phased array system can control an ultrasonic beam electronically by adjusting the excitation time delay of individual elements in a multi-element probe and produce an ultrasonic image. In Contrast, full matrix capture (FMC) is a data acquisition process that allows receiving ultrasonic signals from one single shot of the phased array transducer element through all the other elements and captures the complete dataset from every possible transmit-receive combination. This FMC data can be used to create the ultrasonic image in post processing. It is possible to produce not only images equivalent to conventional phased array image but also total focusing method (TFM) images with improved resolution and sharpness, which is virtually focused at any point in a region of interest. In this paper, the system that can perform FMC by using a conventional phased array instrument is developed, and a study was conducted on the imaging algorithms to reconstruct sector B-scan and TFM images from FMC dataset.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.525-533
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• 2009

Emphasis in the paper is placed on describing guided wave successes and challenges for applications in aircraft and composite materials inspection. Guided wave imaging methods discussed includes line of sight, tomography, guided wave C-scan, phased array, and ultrasonic vibration methods. Applications outlined encircles lap splice, bonded repair patch, fuselage corrosion, water loaded structures, delamination, and ice detection and de-icing of various structures.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3E
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• pp.107-110
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• 2010

In this paper, the rationale and contents of the special issue of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea regarding comprehensive reviews on past, present and future of biomedical ultrasound are described. Brief descriptions of invited articles are given, and efforts by all contributing authors are gratefully acknowledged.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.8 s.173
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• pp.182-191
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• 2005

It is very important to obtain a high quality of bone image for an accurate ultrasonic measurement of bone mineral density. In this study, we suggested a technique to acquire an optimal image by adapting an acoustic lens and a properly selected ultrasonic probe. Also, we have applied an image processing algorithm with which automatically makes a decision of brightness and contrast of image by generating threshold level, a composition of ultrasonic data, an elimination of noise using modified median filter, and a real time interpolation. We could confirm much improved resolution of bone image with acoustic lens attached to the ultrasonic probe and with the image processing algorithm suggested in this study. Therefore, it became possible to precisely diagnose the osteoprosis using ultrasonic imaging technique.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1047-1056
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• 2007

Basically, an ultrasonic imaging system has two fundamental imaging modes available. One is the B-mode imaging modality which provides an image of reflection coefficient, and the other is the Doppler color flow mode that maps blood flow inside the human heart and blood vessels. This paper presents a new method of detecting and compensating for aliasing that occurs when the Doppler frequency exceeds one-half of the pulse-repetition frequency (PRF). Its validity is shown by computer simulation. The new method not only extends the measurable Doppler frequency, but also helps to reduce the effect of noise. The results show that the aliasing can be compensated for correctly fur signal-to-noise ratios down to 20 dB.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.667-681
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• 2015

The scour induced by strong currents and wave action decreases the embedded length of monopiles and leads to a decrease of their structural stability. The objective of this study is the development and consideration of scour-monitoring techniques for offshore monopile foundations. Tests on physical models are carried out with a model monopile and geo-materials prepared in a cylindrical tank. A strain gauge, two coupled ultrasonic transducers, and ten electrodes are used for monitoring the scour. The natural frequency, ultrasonic reflection images, and electrical resistivity profiles are obtained at various scour depths. The experimental results show that the natural frequency of the model monopile decreases with an increase in the scour depth and that the ultrasonic reflection images clearly detect the scour shape and scour depth. In addition, the electrical resistivity decreases with an increase in scour depth. This study suggests that natural frequency measurement, ultrasonic reflection imaging, and electrical resistivity profiling may be used as effective tools to monitor the scour around an offshore monopile foundation.