August 2025
www.us-tech.com Continued from previous page
Page 47
focused, ultra high frequency sound waves. These waves are directed to a precise point on the target object, enabling internal inspection with exceptional accu- racy. The shape of the transduc- er’s lens and the frequency of the sound waves determine both the focal length and the resolution of the scan. As the sound waves interact
The Power Trio Behind Superior SAM Performance Software
inspected object. The digitizer is critical for translating raw acoustic information into usable, high-resolution imaging. Digitizers convert analog
with the internal features of the material, they reflect back to the transducer, which then converts the returning acoustic signals into voltage. This returning ana- log signal is subsequently ampli- fied by a pulser/receiver and dig- itized for further analysis. All ultrasonic scanning sys-
tems rely on this essential dual function — signal generation and detection via at least one trans- ducer — to perform precise, non- destructive evaluations of inter- nal structures. Unlike conventional scan-
ning acoustic microscopy sys- tems that utilize a single-ele- ment transducer, phased array systems employ multiple trans- ducers that can be combined to scan the sample simultaneously. In a phased array system,
multiple elements can be activat- ed either simultaneously or sequentially to synthesize a focused acoustic beam. The num- ber of transducer elements incor- porated into the array varies sig- nificantly depending on the spe- cific application and system design. Common configurations typically include arrays with 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256 elements. A phased array scanning
system consists of multiple ultra- sound transducer elements arranged in an array. Each ele- ment within the array is inde- pendently controlled with respect to the timing (phase) and amplitude of excitation. This configuration allows for electron- ic steering and focusing of the ultrasound beam by adjusting the timing and amplitude applied to each element. According to Polu, SAM can
also be custom designed to be fully integrated into high volume manufacturing systems. When high throughput is required for 100% inspection, ultra-fast sin- gle- or dual-gantry scanning sys- tems are utilized along with 128 transducers for phased array scanning.
Digitizers In a scanning acoustic micro -
scope, the digitizer takes the ana- log voltage signals re ceived from the transducer — after amplifica- tion by the pulser/receiver — and converts them into digital format. This digital data is then used for image reconstruction and analy- sis, enabling accurate visualiza- tion of the internal features of the
CONNECTING THE FUTURE OF SOLDERING CONNECT SMART
signals into digital form by sam- pling the input waveform at spe- cific intervals, known as the sampling rate. A higher sam- pling rate captures more data points per second, allowing for a more accurate reconstruction of the original signal. To avoid dis- tortion and preserve signal integrity, the sampling rate usu- ally must be at least twice the highest frequency present in the
signal, according to Polu. “More data is generated as
the sampling rate is increased, so the lowest sampling rate that can accurately reproduce the
original signal will improve throughput,” says Polu.
Software coordinates all the The effectiveness of SAM
depends on the integration of transducers, digitizers, and software.
pieces of an ultrasonic scanning system like SAM. It interacts with the digitizer, motion con- trol, and digital pulser/receivers in order to coordinate their oper- ations. Software is used to adjust the position of the sample or the probe (transducer) in three- dimensional space, trigger the transducer, and process the
resulting waveform data into 2D Continued on page 51
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