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EPOCH 1000 Series Procedure

Phased Array DAC/TVG


PA DAC/TVG Feature Overview
The EPOCH 1000i offers a combined DAC/TVG sizing feature standard
for phased array mode:

υ Includes ASME, ASME-3, JIS and Custom features

υ Quick setup using modified GAIN calibration tool

υ Edit features allows individual point edits for increased accuracy at critical
angles

υ Designed for intuitive compatibility with conventional DAC/TVG procedures


Required Items

υ Transducer and Wedge


– 5L16-9.6X10-A10P-P-2.5-OM probe
– SA10P-N55S wedge

υ Test Block
– EP1000-PABLOCK-1
υ Couplant
– D-12
Feature Activation
υ Proper calibration is required prior to activation of the DAC/TVG feature for precise
measurements

υ The DAC/TVG activation is located in the SIZING OPTION menu group under [P1]
(DAC/TVG)

υ Under the DAC/TVG menu, select


the desired curve method
– In this example, use ASME-3

υ NOTE: If GAIN calibration has already


been performed, the message below
will appear. Select NO for this
demonstration
Acquiring DAC Points
υ As with the conventional DAC/TVG feature, the user must capture individual
points using the DAC function.

υ Use the PA Demo Block’s side drilled holes (SDH) to build a demonstration
DAC curve

υ Place the 5L16 probe on top of the demo block, over the most shallow SDH,
and facing the closest side
of the block
Acquiring DAC Points (cont.)
υ After exiting the DAC/TVG activation menu, the instrument will default
to the PA CAL group, with the Calibration type DAC active

υ Use the same procedure as GAIN calibration to acquire each individual


SDH as a point on the DAC curve:
– Set reference cursor to 45 degrees
– Position Gate 1 to capture an amplitude measurement from the SDH across
all angles
– Use AUTO 80% to bring the SDH reflection to 80% at 45 degrees
– Press [P1] (ADD) to begin point calibration
– Press [P2] (DONE) after successful acquisition of each point
DAC Point Acquisition Screens
Functions During DAC Acquisition
υ AUTO-80% may be used for each reflector to bring the initial reflection
to 80% and allow proper amplitude measurement across angle range

υ Range adjustment is valid during DAC acquisition

υ Angle adjustment is valid to view any live A-scan individually

υ Gate adjustment is valid during DAC acquisition

υ [P3] (ERASE) key erases the ENTIRE curve

υ [P4] (Delete) key deletes the last point of the curve for re-entry
Gate Positioning During DAC Acquisition
υ It is critical to avoid collecting amplitude information from other sources during
DAC setup.

υ This is especially true for the deepest SDH in the PA Demo Block.

υ Use Gate adjustment during amplitude measurement acquisition to avoid


incorrect readings
Completed DAC from PA Demo Block
DAC/TVG Menu
υ Once DAC points have been acquired, the DAC group menu appears beside
[F2] (DAC) in group 4/5
– P1 – Toggles between DAC and TVG view on the active A-scan
– P2 – Adjusts DAC Curve Gain to properly size in the far field
– P3 – Adjusts the gain step for Curve Gain
– P4 – Selects visible curve for live A-scan measurement comparison
– P5 – Allows individual DAC point edit
– P7 – Turns DAC function OFF without entering a setup menu
Point Edit Function
υ For conventional procedure
compliance, it is critical to have
accurate curves represented at
45, 60 and 70 degrees

υ The EDIT function allows the user


to edit the TOF and Gain of any
individual DAC point acquired
during setup

υ EDIT uses a TVG Table format for


simplicity
Edit Feature Utility
υ The EDIT feature is especially important
to make the overall DAC acquisition
process faster

υ Allows user some basic inaccuracies of


the initial setup that can be removed
later

υ High angles (such as 70 degrees) often


require editing for precision
– See 70 degree amplitude acquisition
as an example!
Editing DAC Points
To edit individual DAC points:
υ Enter the EDIT mode from the DAC menu

υ Use the Angle/Cursor button


to select the desired angle

υ Press [P1] (Edit) to enter


the TVG Table
Editing DAC Points (cont.)
υ Use the arrow keys to navigate to cells within the table

υ A purple square (top) and red crosshair (bottom) on the live A-scan indicates the TOF
position of the selected row in the table

υ Use the knob to increase/decrease the gain of each point at critical angles to meet 80%
exactly MOST COMMON ADJUSTMENT
Phased Array DAC/TVG and the EPOCH 1000i
υ It is important to note that the EPOCH 1000i handles some aspects of
DAC/TVG differently than other PA instruments

υ To standardize to conventional DAC/TVG usage, the displayed


Reference Gain for each focal law represents the gain required to
bring the first DAC point at that focal law to 80% full screen height

υ This means that there could be a different Ref dB for every focal law

υ This is true of conventional UT at varying angles, as well


– Advantage of PA: One DAC calibration file handles all critical angles
instead of multiple DAC curve setups that require recall and verification!

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