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. 2015 Apr 21;15(4):9324-43.
doi: 10.3390/s150409324.

A sparse reconstruction algorithm for ultrasonic images in nondestructive testing

Giovanni Alfredo Guarneri  1 , Daniel Rodrigues Pipa  2 , Flávio Neves Junior  3 , Lúcia Valéria Ramos de Arruda  4 , Marcelo Victor Wüst Zibetti  5
Affiliations

A sparse reconstruction algorithm for ultrasonic images in nondestructive testing

Giovanni Alfredo Guarneri et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging systems (UIS) are essential tools in nondestructive testing (NDT). In general, the quality of images depends on two factors: system hardware features and image reconstruction algorithms. This paper presents a new image reconstruction algorithm for ultrasonic NDT. The algorithm reconstructs images from A-scan signals acquired by an ultrasonic imaging system with a monostatic transducer in pulse-echo configuration. It is based on regularized least squares using a l1 regularization norm. The method is tested to reconstruct an image of a point-like reflector, using both simulated and real data. The resolution of reconstructed image is compared with four traditional ultrasonic imaging reconstruction algorithms: B-scan, SAFT, ω-k SAFT and regularized least squares (RLS). The method demonstrates significant resolution improvement when compared with B-scan-about 91% using real data. The proposed scheme also outperforms traditional algorithms in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Block diagram of the UIS used in this work.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Example of a linear scan and the delimitation of the ROI in an object. The scanning direction is represented by the U axis, which coincides with the X axis of the object. The Z axis of the object—depth—is coincident with the t axis of the A-scan signals.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reconstructed images of a point-like reflector from simulated data. The algorithms used in the reconstruction are: (a) B-scan; (b) SAFT; (c) ω-k SAFT; (d) RLS and (e) UTSR. Amplitude scale is normalized to maximum absolute value.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Geometry of the first inspected object. It was manufactured of steel and has a SDH with 1 mm of diameter, centered at x = 40 mm and z = 40 mm.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Reconstructed images of a SDH with 1 mm of diameter from real data acquired by UIS. The algorithms used in the reconstruction are: (a) B-scan; (b) SAFT; (c) ω-k SAFT; (d) RLS and (e) UTSR. Amplitude scale was normalized to maximum absolute value.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Lateral and (b) depth profile graphs comparing maximum amplitudes (in dB) of reconstructed images for each image position on the X and Z axes. These profile graph shows SNR of reconstructed images by B-scan, SAFT, ω-k SAFT, RLS and UTSR algorithms.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Geometry of the second inspected object. It was manufactured of steel and it has four SDHs with 1 mm of diameter centered at positions x ={16,32,48,64} mm and z = {20,30,40,50} mm.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Reconstructed images of a steel block with four SDHs with 1 mm of diameter from real data acquired by the UIS. The algorithms used in the reconstruction are: (a) B-scan; (b) SAFT; (c) ω-k SAFT; (d) RLS and (e) UTSR. Amplitude scale was normalized to maximum absolute value.
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