FMC/TFM

Choosing the right probe and propagation path

Olympus Canada - Chi-Hang Kwan
Namicon – Octav Teodorescu
Olympus Europa - Florin Turcu
01 Introduction 05 Experimental validation

02 Total Focusing Method 06 Conclusions

03 Choice of probe and propagation modes 07 References

04 Solution: A.R.O.I.
01 Introduction
TFM/FMC
FMC – Full Matrix Capture and TFM – Total Focusing Method
Ultrasound Imaging Technique with a high potential for
▪ Improved sensitivity
▪ Wider field of view
▪ True-to-geometry view
▪ Potentially improved probability of detection (POD)

Phased Array – has its roots in single-element conventional ultrasound;

TFM – can be seen as next step in industrial Ultrasound imaging following PA

• Complexity – requires guidance and standards of practice to consider:

• Choice of probe/wedge combination
• Selection of mode and propagation path

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02 Total Focusing Method
TFM/FMC – the basics
FMC – Full Matrix Capture and TFM – Total Focusing Method
– Total Focusing Method (TFM) is an advanced data processing algorithm.
▪ AQUISITION
– Data is usually acquired using the FMC (Full Matrix Capture) method.

▪ FOCUSING
– When applied to ultrasound data acquired with a multi-channel instrument, it allows focusing the acoustic energy in all
points of a given region of interest.

▪ IMAGE:
– The result is a high resolution image of the zone of interest

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FMC/TFM – How it works
It all starts with
Conventional UT Acoustics
UT
Near field/ far field zones

Beam spread

Mode conversion – Snell/Descartes Law

ALL is still valid and MUST be taken into account

when using/performing TFM
Going Through
Basic Phased-Array
PAUT
How Phased-array work ?
▪ DELAYS: Appropriate delays are introduced electronically during emission and reception
▪ SUMMATION: Only signals “satisfying” delay law shall be “in phase” and generate significant signal after summation

Appropriate delays Only signals “satisfying” delay law shall

are electronically be “in phase” and generate significant
introduced during signal after summation
Signals coming from the reflector reception
arrives at first on the closest element

Signals coming from the reflector

finally arrives on the furthest elements

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And now
FMC – Full Matrix Capture
st
1 step
 FMC Probe elements

FMC = Full Matrix Capture Acquisition matrix.

Each matrix element stores one A-scan
Pulse on 1st element, receive on all
Pulse on 2nd element, receive on all
Pulse on 3rd element, receive on all
….

A complete « MATRIX » is built

generating a huge amount of data.

...

Repeat 1 million times

Result: 1 million matrices 32x32 A-scans
TFM = Total Focusing Method
nd
2 step
TFM Techniques

TFM = Total Focusing Method = data processing

An image is processed

Each pixel is treated as a focal point

The algorithm used to image this data is generated

through a standard sum and beam-forming approach

Other algorithms possible

 A-scans saved in each line Delays applied for Delays applied for
Zone of Resulted focused data in
of the FMC matrix synthetic focusing in synthetic focusing in
interest one image point
reception phase transmission phase

summation summation
Transmitter 1 Line 1 TFM


S
FMC

Line 2


Transmitter 2 S 

Line 32


Transmitter 32 S
 To obtain an image

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03 Modes of Propagation
 TT LL

Modes of Propagation
The operator needs to indicate the chosen Mode and Path depending on application TL LT

Direct Paths
4 possibilities Where:
TT, LL, TL, LT
T → Transverse / Shear Wave
LL TT
L → Longitudinal / Pressure Wave

LL TT
LL TT
Modes of Propagation

Indirect Paths (or pitch-catch / or half-skips)

8 possibilities
LLL, LLT, LTL, LTT,
TLL, TLT, TTL, TTT
L L

L T
L T

T
T

T T
T L
Mode Conversions
Remember Snell (Descartes) law:
– the higher the velocity, the larger the reflection / refraction angle

𝑆𝑖𝑛 ∅𝑖𝐿 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ∅𝑅𝐿 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ∅𝑅𝑇 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ∅𝑟𝐿 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ∅𝑟𝑇
= = = =
𝑐𝐿1 𝑐𝐿1 𝑐𝑇1 𝑐𝐿2 𝑐𝑇2
Mode Conversions
Remember Snell (Descartes) law:
– the higher the velocity, the larger the reflection / refraction angle

▪ How do we use it?

T
L T
L
T
L
Modes of Propagation - complexity

Mode Converted Paths (or Full-Skips)

Note: Not all modes are useful in
16 possibilities
practice for common applications.
LLLL, LLLT, LLTL, LLTT,
TTLL, TTLT, TTTL, TTTT , etc…
Most Common Modes

1. Direct: TT, LL 1

2. Half-Skip: LLL, TTT, LTT, TLT, TLL 2

3. Full-Skip: TTTT, LLLL 3

 Modes - example

TT mode
 Modes - example

TTT mode
04 Solution: A.R.O.I
 Addressing complexity AROI
▪ Olympus developed and patented a unique TFM scan plan method
▪ AROI – Acoustic Region of Influence

TTT
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 Addressing complexity AROI
▪ Analytical – simulation method of acoustic field
▪ Implements basic acoustic formulas: reflection, refraction, beam spread, near field etc
▪ Does not require computing power

TTT
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 Addressing complexity AROI
▪ Image depends on:
– Probe and wedge
– Wave mode
– Sound Path
– Reflector type: volumetric or planar/ flat
– Reflector orientation (if planar)

TTT

Page 29
 Experimental validation: choice of
05 probe, mode and path
 Resolution block
▪ Different aperture
▪ Different pitch
▪ Different frequency
Low frequency/ small pitch HIGH frequency/ small pitch Low frequency/ large pitch and
aperture

Good resolution and sensitivity near surface Good resolution and sensitivity middle zone Good resolution and sensitivity middle and distant zone

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 Corrosion - Pitting Small pitch and aperture Larger pitch / wider aperture

5L64-A32 – pitch 0.5, aperture 32mm 5L64-NW1 – pitch 1, aperture 64mm

▪ Different aperture
▪ Different pitch

a) b) c)
Better directionality / small coverage Worse directionality / larger coverage

d)
e)
Page 32
 Weld - Crack
Sub-surface Back-wall

▪ Different modes
▪ Different path

L
b)
a) T
T
T
T
L T
T

Page 33
 Weld – lack of fusion
▪ Different frequency
TT TT – 5MHz

TT TT – 10MHz

Page 34
06 Conclusions
Conclusions

▪ TFM – new technique with a lot of potential in corrosion and weld applications

▪ High complexity, but high potential for being miss-used

▪ AROI – Acoustic Region of Influence

– Can help the operator chose the right parameters vs application
– An excellent tool for learning
– Light algorithm – no Finite Element Simulation

Page 36
07 References
References
▪ [1] C. Holmes, B. W. Drinkwater, and P. D. Wilcox, “Post-processing of the full matrix of ultrasonic transmit–receive array
data for non-destructive evaluation,” NDT E Int., vol. 38, no. 8, pp. 701–711, Dec. 2005.
▪ [2] K. Sy, P. Bredif, E. Iakovleva, O. Roy, and D. Lesselier, “Development of methods for the analysis of multi-mode TFM
images,” J. Phys. Conf. Ser., vol. 1017, p. 012005, May 2018.
▪ [3] Chi-Hang Kwan, Guillaume Painchaud-April, Benoit Lepage, TFM Acoustic Region of Influence, ASNT Spring Research
Symposium
▪ [4] Olympus, Phased Array Probe catalogue

Page 38
Test Overview
Test Block EP1000-PABLOCK-1 Phased Array
Aluminium Demo Block with 5L64A32 and
SA32-N55S-IHC

Page 39
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 40
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 41
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 42
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 43
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 44
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 45
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

Page 46
Results

LLL TTT

TT LTT

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 MX2 & SX Updated 2019 MXU 4.4R4 !

SX:
MX2:  Single group inspection
▪ Multi-Group inspection  Small
▪ Modularity for changing needs  Simple
 Still an OmniScan
Page 48
 MX1
New electronics updated in 2018 to be CE certified & ROHS compliant
ECA & ECT Modules
BondTesting C-scan

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 ADVANCED ULTRASONIC TECHNIQUES
TRAINING & WORKSHOP
Grand Hotel Phoenicia – Bucharest September 2019

METHODS:
- Phased Array
- TOFD
- TFM / FMC
CONTENT:
- Basic & Physics
- Scan Plan & Acquisition & Analysis
- Applications

WORKSHOP:
- Hands-on & Practice
- Q&A
- Conclusions

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