A Parametric Study of Beam Steering for Ultrasonic Linear Phased Array Transducer

Abstract

All the parameters of a linear phased array may affect the performance and cost of the ultrasonic inspection system. The characteristic of the acoustic field for an array transducer is the most important factor whether the echo information of the inspected area in a specimen can be obtained and utilized effectively, and it is the main basis of designing a phased array. A mathematical model was presented to simulate the characteristic of an acoustic field radiated from an ultrasonic linear phased array on the basis of Huygens' principle. Based on the model, the beam directivity function can be obtained, and the effects of inter-element spacing, number of elements, element width, and transducer center frequency on beam directivity and steerability in a linear phased array transducer are systematically discussed.