Design of Low Cost Broadband Ultrasonic Pulser–Receiver

Determination of ultrasonic propagation velocity in materials provides an insight into their intrinsic and extrinsic properties. The American National Standard, E-494–95 describes an exhaustive procedure of ultrasonic velocity measurement and various material parameters that are based on ultrasonic velocity. Ultrasonic pulser–receiver is a device, used to excite piezoelectric transducers. Further, a oscilloscope or data acquisition device is employed to display and analyze the receiver output. The quality of measured parameter mainly depends on the capabilities of the measurement device used at the receiver. Careful study of the displayed wave pattern enables the detection of deformities inside the metal blocks. In this article, a low cost pulser–receiver designed in the laboratory has been discussed. The design provided can be used by a person having considerable knowledge of electronics to build up a pulser–receiver. The designed device has been tested for its functionality to measure ultrasonic velocity and attenuation. The measured values have been compared with the literature values and are in close agreement with the measurements taken by an imported system.