Significance and Use
The primary use of this guide is to provide a standardized approach for the data file to be used for the transfer of digital ultrasonic data from one user to another where the two users are working with dissimilar ultrasonic systems. This guide describes the contents, both required and optional, for an intermediate data file that can be created from the native format of the ultrasonic system on which the data was collected and that can be converted into the native format of the receiving ultrasonic or data analysis system. The development of translator software to accomplish these data format conversions is being addressed under a separate effort; this will include specific items needed for the data transfer, for example, language used, memory requirements and intermediate specification, including detailed data formats and structures. Ths guide will also be useful in the archival storage and retrieval of ultrasonic data as either a data format specifier or as a guide to the data elements that should be included in the archival file.
Although the recommended field listing includes more than 120 items, only about one third of those are regarded as essential and marked with Footnote C in Table 1. Fields so marked must be addressed in the data base. The other recommended fields provide additional information that a user will find helpful in understanding the ultrasonic examination result. These header field items will, in most cases, make up only a very small part of an ultrasonic examination file. The actual stream of ultrasonic data that make up the image will take up the largest part of the data base. Since an ultrasonic image file will normally be large, the concept of data compression will be considered in many cases. Compressed data should be noted, along with a description of the compression method, as indicated in Field No. 122.
This guide describes the structure of a data file for all of the ultrasonic information collected in a single scan. Some systems record multiple inspection results during a single scan. For example, through transmission attenuation data as well as pulse echo thickness data may be recorded at the same time. These data may be stored in separate image planes; see Field No. 102. In other systems, complete digitized waveforms may be recorded at each inspection point. It is recognized that the complete examination record may contain several files, for example, for the same examination method in different object areas, with or without image processing, for different examination methods (through-transmission, pulse-echo, radiologic, infrared, etc.) collected during the same or during different scan sessions, and for variations within a single method (frequency change, etc.). Information about the existence of other images/examination records for the examined object should be noted in the appropriate fields. A single image plane may be one created by overlaying or processing results for multiple examination approaches, for example data fusion. For such images, the notes sections must clearly state how the image for this file was created.
TABLE 1 Field Listing
Field NumberA Field Name and Description Data Type/UnitsB
Header Information:
1C Intermediate file name Alphanumeric stringD
2C Format revision code Alphanumeric string
3C Format revision date yyyy/mm/ddD
4C Source file name Alphanumeric string
5 Examination file description notes Alphanumeric string
6C Examining company and location Alphanumeric stringD
7C Examination date yyyy/mm/dd
8C Examination time hh:mm:ss
9C Type of examination Alphanumeric stringD
10C Other examinations performed Alphanumeric stringD
11 Operator Name Alphanumeric string
12C Operator identification code Alphanumeric string
13C ASTM, ISO, or other applicable standard inspection specification Alphanumeric string
14 Date of applicable standard yyyy/mm/dd
15C Acceptance criteria Alphanumeric string
16C System of units Alphanumeric stringD
17 Notes Alphanumeric string
Examination System Description:
18 Examination system manufacturer(s) Alphanumeric stringD
19C Examination system model Alphanumeric string
20 Examination system serial number Alphanumeric string
Pulser Description:
21 Pulser electronics manufacturer Alphanumeric string
22 Pulser electronics model number Alphanumeric string
23 Pulser type Alphanumeric stringD
24 Pulse repetition frequency Real number, kiloHertz
25 Pulse height Alphanumeric stringD
26 Pulse width Real number, nsec
27 Last calibration date yyyy/mm/dd
28 Notes on pulser section Alphanumeric string
Receiver Description:
29 Receiver electronics manufacturer Alphanumeric string
30 Receiver electronics model Alphanumeric string
31 Receiver electronics response center frequency Real number, MHzD
32 Receiver bandwidth Real number, MHzD
33 Fixed receiver gain Real number, dB
34 User selected receiver gain Real number, dB
35 Last calibration date yyyy/mm/dd
Notes on receiver section Alphanumeric string
Gate Description:
37 Number of gates Integer
38 Gate type Alphanumeric stringD
39 Gate synchronization Alphanumeric string
40 Gate start delay Alphanumeric string
41 Gate width Alphanumeric string
42 Gate threshold level Alphanumeric string
43 Notes on gate section Alphanumeric string
Search Unit Description:
44 Transmit search unit manufacturer Alphanumeric string
45 Transmit search unit model Alphanumeric string
46 Transmit search unit serial number Alphanumeric string
47 Transmit search unit element diameter Real number
48 Measured beam diameter of the Transmit search unit at the examination surface Real number
49 Location of measurement of beam diameter of the transmit search unit Alphanumeric stringD
50 Transmit search unit focal length Real numberD
51 Transmit search unit nominal frequency Real number, MHz
52 Transmit search unit response center frequency Real number, MHz
53 Transmit search unit response bandwidth Real number, MHz
54 Transmit search unit cable type Alphanumeric string
55 Transmit search unit cable length Real number
56 Number of values for Transmit search unit digitized waveform IntegerD
57 Transmit search unit waveform values Real number
58 Notes on Transmit search unit waveform Alphanumeric string
59 Transmit search unit coupling technique and medium Alphanumeric string
60 Receive search unit manufacturer Alphanumeric string
61 Receive search unit model number Alphanumeric string
62 Receive search unit serial number Alphanumeric string
63 Receive search unit element diameter Real number
64 Measured beam diameter of the “receive” search unit at the examination surface Real number
65 Location of measurement of beam diameter of the receive search unit Alphanumeric stringD
66 Receive search unit focal length Real numberD
67 Receive search unit nominal frequency Real number, MHz
68 Receive search unit response center frequency Real number, MHz
69 Receive search unit response bandwidth Real number, MHz
70 Receive search unit cable type Alphanumeric string
71 Receive search unit cable length Real number
72 Number of values for “receive” search unit digitized waveform IntegerD
73 Receive search unit waveform values Real number
74 Notes on Receive search unit waveform Alphanumeric string
75 Receive search unit coupling technique and medium Alphanumeric string
Examined Sample Description:
76C Examined sample identification Alphanumeric string
77C Examined sample name Alphanumeric string
78 Examined sample description Alphanumeric string
79C Examined sample material Alphanumeric string
80 Examined sample notes (history, use, etc.) Alphanumeric stringD
81C Number of scan segments for this part Integer
82 Reference sample identification Alphanumeric string
83 Reference sample description Alphanumeric string
84 Reference sample file name/location Alphanumeric string
85 Reference sample notes (use, etc.) Alphanumeric stringD
Coordinate System and Scan Description Machine Coordinate System:
86 Machine scan axis Alphanumeric stringD
87 Machine index axis Alphanumeric string
88 Machine third axis Alphanumeric string
89 Reference for machine coordinate system Alphanumeric string
Part Coordinate System:
90 First part axis Alphanumeric stringD
91 Second part axis Alphanumeric string
92 Third part axis Alphanumeric string
93 Reference for part coordinate system Alphanumeric string
Object Target Points:
94C Number of target points Integer
95C Description of target point Alphanumeric string
96C Coordinate of target point in first part axis Real number
97C Coordinate of target point in second part axis Real number
98 Coordinate of target point in third part axis Real number
Data Plane:
99 Description of the plane onto which data will be projected Alphanumeric string
100 Coordinate system notes Alphanumeric string
Examination Parameters:
101C Coordinate location number Integer
102C Number of data values per coordinate location IntegerD
103C Minimum value of test data range or resolution IntegerD
104C Maximum value of test data range or resolution IntegerD
105C Engineering units for minimum legal data value Alphanumeric stringD
106C Engineering units for maximum legal data value Alphanumeric stringD
107C Number of bits to which the original data was digitized Integer
108C Type of data scale Alphanumeric stringD
109C Size of data step Real numberD
110C Format of data recording Alphanumeric stringD
111C Number of colors or gray levels used Integer
112C Distribution of colors or gray levels Alphanumeric string
Examination Results:
113C Scan segment number IntegerD
114C Scan segment description Alphanumeric string
115 Scan segment location on part Alphanumeric string
116 Scan segment orientation Alphanumeric string
117C Scan pattern description Alphanumeric string
118 Annotation Alphanumeric stringD
119C Distance between data sample points Real number
120C Interval between data locations in index direction Real number
121 Notes on data intervals Alphanumeric string
122 Notes on data format including notes on any compression techniques used Alphanumeric string
123C Total number of data points IntegerD
124C Actual stream of ultrasonic data Real numbersD
A Field numbers are for reference only. They do not imply a necessity to include all those fields in any specific database nor do they imply a requirement that fields be used in this particular order.
B Units listed first are SI; secondary units are inch-pound (English); see Field No. 16.
C Denotes essential field for computerization of test results.
D See Section 5 for further explanation.
Scope
1.1 This guide provides a listing and description of the fields that are recommended for inclusion in a digital ultrasonic examination data base to facilitate the transfer of such data. This guide is prepared for use particularly with digital image data obtained from ultrasonic scanning systems. The field listing includes those fields regarded as necessary for inclusion in the data base (as indicated by Footnote C in Table 1); these fields, so marked, are regarded as the minimum information necessary for a transfer recipient to understand the data. In addition, other optional fields are listed as a remainder of the types of information that may be useful for additional understanding of the data, or applicable to a limited number of applications.
1.2 It is recognized that organizations may have in place an internal format for the storage and retrieval of ultrasonic examination data. This guide should not impede the use of such formats since it is probable that the necessary fields are already included in such internal data bases, or that the few additions can be made. The numerical listing indicated in this guide is only for convenience; the specific numbers carry no inherent significance and are not a part of the data file.
1.3 The types of ultrasonic examination systems that appear useful in relation to this guide include those described in Practices E 114, E 214 and E 1001. Many of the terms used are defined in Terminology E 1013 and E 1316. The search unit parameters used in this guide follow from those used in Guide E 1065.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.