Patrik Broberg

Evaluation of a method to radiometric calibrate hot target image data by using simple reference sources close to ambient temperatures

To perform radiometric calibrations of image data, reference sources are needed in order to acquire data at two or more radiance levels giving the calibration parameters. Due to sensor drift for detectors in the infrared region the parameters have to be frequently recalculated during an extended signature measurement if the accuracy is to be maintained. In signature measurements where the incident radiance levels from hot targets are exceeding the background by many orders of magnitude the reference sources need to emit radiation at high radiance levels. Such reference sources are more complex and so is the handling of these sources. The calibration procedure tends to become impractical in field trials where several spectral bands are involved, which increases the need for reference data and the number of reference sources. A method to radiometric calibrate hotspot target data by using only a few simple reference sources close to ambient temperatures has been evaluated in this paper. Reference data has been collected both in laboratory studies and in field trials at various weather conditions. The accuracy and the precision of the method are presented. The uncertainty due to sensor drift is estimated. Error sources connected to the calibration method are discussed.

Comparison of NDT-methods for automatic inspection of weld defects

The purpose of this study is to investigate different NDT-methods for weld inspection in an objective manner. Test objects are produced with known variation of flaws: internal pores, surface and in ...

Ultraviolet excitation for thermography inspection of surface cracks in welded joints

Infrared thermography is a non-contact and full field inspection method which has proven to be suitable for automatic surface crack detection. For automatic analysis of the inspection results, a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is required. In this paper an alternative excitation method, using ultraviolet (UV) illumination, is presented and evaluated. Artificial surface defects, so-called notches, in a titanium plate are detected both in the weld seam and in the heat affected zone. Notches with a size from 80 μm in width and 250 μm in length are detected. The SNR using UV illumination is compared with that using flash lamp excitation. The results show that UV illumination using a mercury lamp is a good alternative as excitation source for thermography when detecting surface cracks. To validate the excitation method, results from real surface cracks are included.

Improved corner detection by ultrasonic testing using phase analysis.

In ultrasonic testing, corners are used for sensitivity calibration in the form of notches, for measuring the sound velocity in the material, and as known reference points during testing. A 90° corner will always reflect incoming waves in the opposite direction due to a double reflection and therefore give a strong echo. This article presents a method for separating the echo from a corner from other echoes and more accurately find the position of the corner. The method is based on analysing the phase of the reflected signal. The proposed method was tested on a steel calibration block and the width of the indication was reduced by up to 50% compared to the amplitude signal. This results in a more accurate positioning of the corner. Using the phase instead of the amplitude will also improve the reliability, since reflections other than from corners will disappear.