AIMS Scanning System
2-D XY Intensity Plot
Contour XY plot
1-D Intensity Line Profile
Acoustic Intensity Measurement System (AIMS)
The AIMS is a precision scanning system mounted on a tank that allows measuring and mapping of acoustic fields in liquids. It is the heart of any ultrasound measurement system, suitable for medical imaging, pulsed and CW Doppler, therapeutic devices and industrial ultrasound between 0.25 and 60 MHz. If measurements are needed outside this range, please contact us.
Tank Sizes (Inside Dimension):
- ASTS01: 0.73m X 0.36m X 0.44m (29" x 14" x 17")
- ASTS03: 0.89m X 0.51m X 0.58m (35" x 20" x 23")
Capabilities
- Precise 3-axis scan, repeatable within 12µm and absolute accuracy of 25µm over 30 cm.
- Travel:
- 610mm x 360mm x 380mm vertical (AST01)
- 800mm x 510mm x 510mm vertical (AST03)
- Digitized and stored waveforms, 1- and 2-dimensional spatial scans. The software gathers, displays, and stores the data.
- Automatic computation of most relevant acoustic parameters (see above).
- Computer-controlled adjustment of either the hydrophone or the transmitting transducer for beam alignment using the optional two axes Angular Positioner.
- Frequency scans, where the response is measured as a signal generator is stepped in frequency, is done with minimal additional hardware. This is valuable in transducer evaluation and hydrophone calibrations.
- All measurement and reporting features can be verified by using standard data files provided.
For more information about the configuration and technical specifications, please click here.
Applications
Engineering/Product Development: Evaluate prototype transducers and excitation systems from measurements, such as:
- Beam Dimensions
- Focal Zone Location and Size
- Pulse Amplitude, Spectrum, Center Frequency and Bandwidth
- Pitch-Catch or Pulse Echo Measurement Modes
Government Compliance Testing: Gather data needed for device compliance submittals.
Diagnostic Devices:
- Measure, calculate and plot pulse waveform and pulse intensity integral plots
- Intensity: pulse average(Isppa), temporal peak(Isptp), temporal average(Ispta), pulse duration
- Mechanical Index
- In-water and derated intensity values
- Pressure: positive and negative peak values
- Acoustic power by planar integration
- Beam dimensions (1 and 2 dimensions)
- Center frequency and bandwidth
Therapeutic devices:
- Compute Effective Radiated Area (ERA)
- Compute Beam Non-Uniformity Ratio (BNR)
Production Testing
With data acquisition typically at 2 points per second, production line measurements are one common application for this system. Built-in scripting allows automation of repetitive measurement tasks, pass/fail checks, and message-based control of programs written by the user.