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MAGNETOM C!
MR

Troubleshooting Guide
System

Tune-up/QA

08106705

© Siemens AG 2005
The reproduction, transmission or use
of this document or its contents is not
permitted without express written
authority. Offenders will be liable for
damages. All rights, including rights
created by patent grant or registration
of a utility model or design, are
reserved.

Print No.: M4-030.840.20.01.02 English

Replaces: M4-030.840.01.03.02 Doc. Gen. Date: 09.06
2 Revision / Disclaimer
1Revision / Disclaimer

Document revision level

The document corresponds to the version/revision level effective at the time of system
delivery. Revisions to hardcopy documentation are not automatically distributed.
Please contact your local Siemens office to order current revision levels.

Disclaimer
The installation and service of equipment described herein is to be performed by qualified
personnel who are employed by Siemens or one of its affiliates or who are otherwise
authorized by Siemens or one of its affiliates to provide such services.
Assemblers and other persons who are not employed by or otherwise directly affiliated
with or authorized by Siemens or one of its affiliates are directed to contact one of the
local offices of Siemens or one of its affiliates before attempting installation or service pro-
cedures.

MAGNETOM C! M4-030.840.20.01.02 Page 2 of 22 Siemens AG

09.06 SMMR Medical Solutions
Table of Contents 3
1- 0Table of Contents

1 _______ Tune-up________________________________________________________ 4

Tuning Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Common problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Error messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Error in COSIMUX Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
TX_Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Error messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RF-Characteristic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ERROR MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Phantom - Shim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
WARNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
ECC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Gradient - Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Frequency adjustment error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Gradient - delay measurement - errors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Gradient Sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
For HF only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Receive path calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Image brightness (expert mode). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2 _______ Changes ______________________________________________________ 18

Changes from V1.0 to V2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Part ‘Introduction’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Part ‘System’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Part ‘Software’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Part ‘RF System’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Part ‘Tune-up and QA’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Changes from V2.0 to V3.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Part ‘Magnet’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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4 Tune-up
2-
Tuning Calibration
1Tune-up

Common problems 0

• Connecting the wrong LOCA-lug to the service adapter

• Bad 50-Ohm terminator ; use Ohmmeter for verification
• Wrong termination during calibration: 50-Ohm , short or open.

Error messages 0

There are only three measurement - error messages possible:

“Value of reflected OPEN Signal too low.“
“Please check RF-components and connections“
The reflected signal should be 100% ( open circuit ) but the system does not see any sig-
nal at all.
• there could be a cable error,
• the signal from the TTX-output of the TRA-Cassette is too low or missing
• the receive path does not work.
In any case the RF-loop -tests , without the RFPA-tests, should help you to locate the
problem.
If not, a scope or maybe a URV5 is necessary to check
• the transmit path and ; TTX-level = 0dBm = 1mW
• the receive path.
“Value of reflected going Signal too low“
“Please check RF components“
This error message can happen for the “short circuit“ as well as for the 50 Ohm termina-
tion.
One might expect no signal at all if the 50 Ohm termination is used but the system wants
to see at least some signal since the setup is not ideal.
Execute the RF-tests without the RFPA tests.
“Value of reflected Signal too high“
“Please check RF components“
The reflected Signal will cause an ADC overflow. This is very unlikely but if it happens the
Signal-level of the TTX output has to be checked. It should be 0dBm = 1mW.
Execute the RF-tests without the RFPA tests.
“Tune cal results not saved, because Tune cal check failed. “
This error-message is indicating an instability problem.
Execute all “RF“ tests.

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Tune-up 5

Error in COSIMUX Calibration 0

“Calibration Data is outside tolerance for plug channel X, Y“,

X = Plug , Y = Channel
“check hardware, check COSIMUX“
This error message will always follow the previous error message.
The same action will have to be taken as for 2.4.
“Tune-up results not saved, because Tune-up verification failed.“
• Repeat the calibration and if necessary
• execute all RF tests.
“Verification measurement is out of specification“
“Tuning calibration measurement is abording“
This error message will always follow the previous one.
The same action will have to be taken as for 2.6.

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6 Tune-up

TX_Tuning 0

Error messages 0

Error during adj/fre search

Right after the installation this is the first time an MR-experiment is executed with this sys-
tem.
The BS-coil and the 24 cm phantom have to be in the center of the magnetic field.
Signal too low:

the coil itself is not working: use another coil

the cabling is incorrect:
the phantom is not centered:
the GPA has offset currents:
no RF-power:
homogeneity problem:
verify the cabling
reposition the phantom
switch the cabinet off and modify the supervision
execute RFPA tests and if necessary check the
power with the URV5
plot the field ;if necessary reshim the magnet

Execute the RFPA tests.

Frequency out of range:
It is very unlikely to get this error message. This is a permanent magnet and the passive
shim was performed in the factory already; the frequency is known. But it is a possibility
and it has to be checked by the system.
Make sure the Magnet - temperature is ok.
Adjust the frequency manually with the 200kHz bandwidth.
Should the frequency be out of range make sure the GPA is switched off, otherwise call
the CS HSC 23 for help.

BC - Service tuning
There are no measurement related error messages
The phantom with the coil has to be removed again.
But should it be impossible to adjust the TX coils the
• TX coils
• BTB or
• COSIMUX
could have a problem.
In any case execute the RFPA tests before replacing any parts.

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Tune-up 7

RF-Characteristic 0

General 0

The “RF-Chara“ process can be devided into 6 steps:

• Frequency-adjustment
• RF-Max Power search
• RF-Chara-measurement
• Verification measurement
In case of problems, each measurement can generate several error messages.

ERROR MESSAGES 0

Frequency adjustment:
The frequency from the TX-Tuning result is used to measure the RF-characteristic.
If the TX-TUNING has not been performed yet, the default frequency is used: 14.6MHz.
There are no RF-related error messages.

RF-Max Power search:

Measured voltage is less than min. Voltage; min Voltage = 10V
“Error in expected RF-output; check RF-Amplifier“
One of the parts involved failed just now ; most likely the RFPA.
Execute the “RF-Chara“ - test routines.
“Trying to set voltage to TRA-Voltage“
“Cannot set to value greater than max linear voltage“
“Error in expected RF output Check RF- components“
The RFPA does not reach the specifications.
It could be:
• the level of the SSB Signal (TX-Module) or
• the RFPA/DICO itself.
Execute “the RF-Chara“ - test routines.
“Number of allowed search measurements exceeded.“
“Error in reaching or finding maximum power.“
“Please check RF-Amplifier and RF-Components.“
With the previous measurement it was possible to reach the max. power.
There could be an instability-problem in the Transmitter or even in the Receiver path.
Execute the “RF-Chara“ - test routines.

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8 Tune-up

RF-Chara-measurement:
“Output power does not always increase with increasing input power“
“Please check RF-Amplifier and RF - Components“
The RF-Characteristic is not linear.
Execute the “RF-Chara“ - test routines. The problem is most likely in the Transmitter path.

Verification measurement:
“Output power does not always increase with increasing input power“
“Please check RF-Amplifier and RF - Components“
The RF-Characteristic is not linear.
Execute the “RF-Chara“ - test routines. The problem is most likely in the Transmitter path.

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Tune-up 9

Phantom - Shim 0

General 0

For the phantom shim, a 64 ( 3D) matrix is used.

The LF does not have a shim option.

Errors 0

“Not enough points for fit!“

“Signal volume may be too small“
The system expects a signal from every voxel of the 3D - matrix; Frequency domain.
B0 or B1 inhomogeneity can cause local signal loss:
• B0: plot the mag. field and, if necessary, reshim the magnet again.
• B1: use another coil; switch to the EXPERT-Mode and select “Phantom shim“.
Shim System Check failed!
For systems with shim option only.
“Measured Shim Current Change differs from nominal one“
The system drives current through any shim channel. Since the system knows the sensi-
tivity of the shim coil, it expects a certain inhomogeneity caused by this current.
If the difference of the product “Current x sensitivity“ and the actual inhomogeneity is too
large, the program will be terminated.
Possible problems:
• wrong polarity of either the gradient or the shim channels,
• defective shim or
• gradient wiring problem or
• the basic homogeneity is out of spec.
Specification is NOT reached in 3 iterations!
The system will try to adjust the offset currents three times. If it is not possible to reach
specifications, an error message will be generated.
Possible causes:
• wrong polarity of either the shim-channels ( optional ) and / or the gradients,
• instable offsets or the
• basic homogeneity is out of spec.

WARNINGS 0

Too many phase overflows

“The field may be too inhomogeneous“
Plot the magnetic field again and, if necessary, repeat the passive shim.

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10 Tune-up

“Not enough points to calculate Peak-Peak and RMS values!“

The signal decays is too fast because of a very inhomogeneous field.
Plot the magnetic field again and if necessary repeat the passive shim.

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Tune-up 11

ECC 0

“Invalid gradient fit parameters!“ or “Invalid B0 fit parameters!“

These two errors are SW-related . Either the fit parameters have been manipulated by
someone else or the SW itself is corrupt.
In both cases the SW has to be reinstalled unless the corrupted parameters are known
and can be corrected again.
“MR-signal or S/N too low!“
Since the phantom shim was ok, the MR-signal for the ECC should be ok as well unless
something went wrong during the phantom-change.
Make sure the small phantom is used and centered.
There must not be any external interference; make sure the RF-door is closed.
If that is ok, go back to the phantom shim using the ECC-phantom to make sure
• the coil is still working and
• the phantom liquid is ok as well.
Otherwise execute the RF-tests.
“MR-Signal decays too fast!“
Check homogeneity and if necessary reshim the magnet.
“First frequency value is too high: Adj/Frequency was not done successfully“
At the beginning of the ECC measurement, the eddy currents are zero.
Therefore the MR-frequency calculated for the first ECC-pulse has to be close to the
ADJ/FRE value, otherwise this error message will be generated.
ADJ/FRE should solve this problem, if the gradients do not have an instable offset or the
synthesizer itself is instable.
In any case the stability tests have to be executed.
“ADC overflow“
This error happens if something is wrong with the hardware e.g. RF amplifiers.
Execute all RF related tests.
“Unstable FID amplitude!“
Following conditions could cause this problem:
• bad shim homogeneity: do a “phantom shim“ with this phantom.
• wrong or poluted phantom liquid: replace the liquid by taking it from the big phantom.
• Very bad eddy currents to begin with: Switch over to expert-mode and try a different ax-
is. There could be a problem with the grAd.-coil as well.
- Swap cables at the cabinet to see if problem moves.
“Last frequency value is too high“
There seems to be a field drift caused by
• instable gradient offsets d: execute grad.stab tests
• or Magnet temperature drift: TCU defect or switched off.: Low Field “MAGNETOM C!“
only

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12 Tune-up

“Evaluation of measurement failed!“

This message is following other messages only and is nothing else but a statement.
“Phantom is not centered! Please, position phantom closer to the center.“
This message is self explanatory.
“Slices have different Amplitudes! Please position phantom closer to center!“
• Check the shim
• Recenter the phantom
• Execute stability tests
“The frequency values of some slices are too high! Do adi/frequency,check shim!“
This error-message is self explanatory.

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Tune-up 13

Gradient - Delay 0

Frequency adjustment error 0

This is a non - selective adjustment with a bandwidth of 10 kHz.

“Signal too low“
• The difference between the nominal and actual frequency is > 10kHz: do a manual
FRE/ADJ
• Phantom not centered: reposition the phantom
• Wrong gradient offsets: repeat “Phantom Shim“
• Field homogeneity out of spec:
first do a Phantom shim and if necessary repeat the
- mechanical shim and if necessary
- a reshim
• Receive path not ok: use another coil for test purposes only.
- execute RFPA tests and if necessary
- check the power with the URV5
• the coil itself is not working: use another coil

Gradient - delay measurement - errors 0

For the following error messages “Fatal error: rawdata overflow in X(or Y or Z)direc-
tion“ to “New Gradient - delays are significantly different from actual Delays“
• execute the grad. stability tests
• If only one orientation is out of spec repeat the previous gradient adjustments in the
“Tune up“
- Regulator if applicable
- Phantom shim
- CTC if applicable and
- ECC.
• If it still does not work, swap the cable between a bad and a good grad. axis to see if it
stays with the coil or with the electronic: cabinet,cable,filter.
“Fatal error: rawdata overflow in X (or Y or Z) direction“
This error message should not appear, if the previous tune-up steps were ok.
Switch to “EXPERT - mode“ and see what the other orientations do; one at a time.
“Can not evaluate Grad. - Delay“
The Grad. - delay time is out of range: 0 < delay range ≤ 300 .
“Max Diff. Deviations not in Specification“
The delay time between the three different gradient amplitudes varies too much:

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14 Tune-up

MAGNETOM C!: max diff. = 15 mikro seconds

High field: max diff. = 5 mikro seconds.

“New Gradient - delays are significantly different from actual Delays“

The new Grad.delay values are different from the old ones:
Limits are set to:
• MAGNETOM C!: 5 mikro seconds
• HIGH FIELD: 1 mikro seconds

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Tune-up 15

Gradient Sensitivity 0

“Diameters or positions in phase encoding and read out direction do not agree!“
The difference between phase and readout diameter must not exceed 5mm, otherwise
execute the gradient stability tests and if necessary the RF-tests.
It may very well be an RF-problem e.g. synthesizer. An incorrect frequency would exit a
slice away from the center and therefore the diameter would be smaller.

For HF only 0

“Trying to move table in “Z” direction, but the required distance is too long.“
Reposition the phantom and repeat measurement.

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16 Tune-up

Receive path calibration 0

Possible error messages

“Received signal is too high!“
“Measurement will be repeated after reducing the RXChanCorrect-factor.“
The RX-channel correction factor is too high. The brightness of the received image cannot
be evaluated. The measurement will be repeated after reduction of the correction factor.
For other error messages, refer to chapter “Image brightness“.

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Tune-up 17

Image brightness (expert mode) 0

Possible error messages

“Measurement preparation failed“
The adj/fre or adj/tra failed.
This most likely happens, if this tune-up step did not follow the gradient sensitivity mea-
surement right away.
Possible causes:
• Incorrect phantom / coil set-up
• RFPA failure →do RFPA tests,
• Coil defect →use another coil and if necessary replace the defect one,
• Field drift : →check magnet temperature
• Grad. Drift : →repeat phantom shim
“Brightness is too high in image!“
“Setting FFT scale to half value!“
“Please repeat image Brightness procedure!“
This error - message is self explanatory.
The new FFT scale will be devided by 2 .
The only thing left is to repeat the Image Brightness measurement.
“SN is less than half the specification!“
“Check proper phantom setup for selected coil!“
possible causes and checks:
• Verify phantom/coil setup,
• Artifacts: they will distroy the S/N and therefore a correct brightness evaluation is not
possible.
- Troubleshoot the artifact problem first.
• Use another coil.
- If the tune-up coil is the only coil which does not reach the specs, replace it.
“No valid phantom found!“
Check the phantom set-up.
The system can not fit an elliptical function around the phantom. Either the phantom is not
correct, or the system has some severe problems, such as
• homogeneity →repeat phantom shim
• gradient sensitivity, even if performed before repeat grad. sense again

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18 Changes
3-
2Changes

In order to get a quick overview of what has changed, changes as compared to the last
version are provided below.

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Changes 19

Changes from V1.0 to V2.0 0

Part ‘Introduction’ 0

Where What is changed?

(M4-030.840.10 / Protective conductor Replace 300mΩ by 200mΩ
measurement)

Part ‘System’ 0

Where What is changed?

(M4-030.840.10 / Access Windows XP Change the description of Access Windows
of the Imager) XP of the Imager.
(M4-030.840.10 / Checking the supply Replace 250µT by 1000µT
voltages of EFI probe at WIB:)
(M4-030.840.10 / Checking cables, Update the table of EFI sensor.
connectors and signals)
(M4-030.840.10 / Checking cables, Update the table of X19 WIB and X4
connectors and signals) EFI_DAS.

Part ‘Software’ 0

Where What is changed?

(M4-030.840.11 / syngo MR start-up
(Win XP only))
(M4-030.840.11 / Create a new empty
database (Win XP only))
(M4-030.840.11 / IP Security (XP
only))
(M4-030.840.11 / Import test images
(NT and XP))
(M4-030.840.12 / Check Dongle ID)
(M4-030.840.12 / No output at TFT
Monitor)
syngo MR start-up (Win XP only) added
Create a new empty database (WinXP only)
revised
IP security (XP only) added
Import test images (NT and XP) revised
Removed: Fix file system & recover bad sec-
tors.
No output at TFT Monitor added.

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20 Changes

Part ‘RF System’ 0

Where What is changed?

(M4-030.840.14 / Proposed Order of
RF-Test Procedures)
(M4-030.840.14 / Proposed Order of
RF-Test Procedures)
(M4-030.840.14 / SSB1-Signal)
(M4-030.840.14 / Measurements)
Removed: Spike sources
Removed: Spike check
SSB1-signal revised
Measurements

Part ‘Tune-up and QA’ 0

Where What is changed?

(Gradient - delay measurement - HIGH FIELD: 1 mikro seconds added
errors / p. 13)

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Changes 21

Changes from V2.0 to V3.0 0

Part ‘Magnet’ 0

Where What is changed?

(M4-030.840.17 / Waiting time after Waiting time after power failure in TCU
power failure in TCU) added

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22 Changes

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09.06 SMMR Medical Solutions