Noise ratio

An improved signal/noise ratio because all signals are seen simultaneptisiy along with the instrument s own noise (called the multiplex or Fellgett advantage). 

For the case of noise presence (4, 0) the signal to noise ratio [Pg.125]

The detectability of critical defects with CT depends on the final image quality and the skill of the operator, see figure 2. The basic concepts of image quality are resolution, contrast, and noise. Image quality are generally described by the signal-to-noise ratio SNR), the modulation transfer function (MTF) and the noise power spectrum (NFS). SNR is the quotient of a signal and its variance, MTF describes the contrast as a function of spatial frequency and NFS in turn describes the noise power at various spatial frequencies [1, 3]. 

Sandborg, M. and G. Alm-Carlsson, Influence of x-ray energy spectrum, contrasting detail and detector on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) in projection radiography. Phys. Med. Biol., 1992. 37(6) p. 1245-1263. 

In order to maximize the excitation, precautions have to be taken to avoid cross-talk between excitation and signal. Therefore differential probes are commonly used with a SQUID system Nevertheless, for the discussed defects the SQUID system has a lower excitation field by a factor of about 100 compared with the commereial system This we must keep in mind, when we compare measured signal to noise ratios. There is a potential to improve for small defeets, when eross-talk is managed very well. 

The combination of contrast and granularity produces a signal to noise ratio which allows for direct comparison of various films. The classes have minimum values for eontrast and maximum values for graininess. The ASTM classification system employs the same parameters as the European Standard EN584-1 and ISO CD (see Table 1). 

Minimum exposure times must be observed in order to reach the requisite S/N ratio. As per EN 1435 and EN 584-1, for the different ranges of utilization (energy, wall thickness), definite film elasses are prescribed. They are characterized by the minimum gradient-to-noise ratios. Based on this, one can calculate the minimum values for the S/N ratio based on the IP systems. The exposure time and the device parameter sensitivity and dynamics (latitude) must be adjusted accordingly, with an availability of an at least 12 bit system for the digitalization. 

The obtained image has decreased signal to noise ratio and a very good quality which helps for interpretation. 

In fig. 2 an ideal profile across a pipe is simulated. The unsharpness of the exposure rounds the edges. To detect these edges normally a differentiation is used. Edges are extrema in the second derivative. But a twofold numerical differentiation reduces the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of experimental data considerably. To avoid this a special filter procedure is used as known from Computerised Tomography (CT) /4/. This filter based on Fast Fourier transforms (1 dimensional FFT s) calculates a function like a second derivative based on the first derivative of the profile P (r) ... 

The base of this estimation is the signal to noise ratio. The lowest signal to noise ratio S/N which is necessary as a minimum to discern a signal from noise is S/N = 2 1 (4). Referring to the limiting values for the granularity Oj, of the film system classes the smallest density difference AD of an defect which would just be visible should be at least two times greater than On. 

Flaws under this dimension will be under the critical signal-to-noise ratio of 2 1 for a given film system class and for instance for the borderline film of class C5 a flaw must be already -21 % deeper for perception than for the film of class C4. 

The system parameters gradient G (G(D=2),G(D=4)), granularity and the gradient to noise ratio G/a are determined for a film system which comprises a film type and chemicals inclusive the processing. 

A corresponding composite probe with the same frequency and crystal size, however, detects the test flaw much better the echo has a 12 dB higher amplitude (see Fig. 4) and in addition, the noise level is much lower, resulting in an improved signal to noise ratio. This effect is especially observed at high sound attenuation. However, in materials with low attenuation or in case of shorter sound paths the standard probe yields a comparable good signal to noise ratio. 

The second example shows results obtained with an angle beam probe for transverse waves in coarse grained grey cast iron. Two commercially available probes are compared the composite design SWK 60-2 and the standard design SWB 60-2. The reflector in this example is a side-drilled hole of 5 mm diameter. The A-scans displayed below in Fig. 5 and 6 show that the composite probe has a higher sensitivity by 12 dB and that the signal to noise ratio is improved by more than 6 dB. 

Composite transducers will replace conventional transducers in applications where the improvement of test sensitivity, signal to noise ratio and axial resolution are mandatory. It must nevertheless also be noted in connection with the broadband feature that though composite probes have a specified nominal frequency, the echo signals allow no echo amplitude... 

The transducers discussed above were designed to propagate waves in both directions normal to the direction of the fingers. It has been shown [17] that they produce a roughly collimated beam so they can be used to inspect a band of structure whose width is the transducer finger length the maximum distance away from the transducer covered by the beam is dependent on the attenuation of the wave and the signal-noise ratio, but is typically around 1-2 m in a... 

The displacement of the spectral characteristics was 0.2 MHz, but the signal/noise ratio for the first case was 7 dB higher. 

As any conventional probe, acoustic beam pattern of ultrasound array probes can be characterized either in water tank with reflector tip, hydrophone receiver, or using steel blocks with side-drilled holes or spherical holes, etc. Nevertheless, in case of longitudinal waves probes, we prefer acoustic beam evaluation in water tank because of the great versatility of equipment. Also, the use of an hydrophone receiver, when it is possible, yields a great sensitivity and a large signal to noise ratio. 

Signal processing in mechanical impedance analysis (MIA) pulse flaw detectors by means of cross correlation function (CCF) is described. Calculations are carried out for two types of signals, used in operation with single contact and twin contact probes. It is shown that thi.s processing can increase the sensitivity and signal to noise ratio. 

Fig.5 shows the noise influence on CCF for both types of pulses and different b values. This influence is weak, especially for q(t) type of signals. For s(t) signals growth of 2-factor critically increases the signal to noise ratio. For q(t) signals this effect is much weaker and depends on quantity of periods in pulses. 

Correlative signal processing in MIA pulse flaw detectors is an effective way to increase the sensitivity and signal to noise ratio. Instruments with such processing system should be provided with a device for adjusting and sustaining initial phases of both current and reference pulses. 

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