Overview
EN ISO 18563-1:2022 - "Non-destructive testing - Characterization and verification of ultrasonic phased array equipment - Part 1: Instruments" (CEN adoption of ISO 18563-1:2022) defines the functional characteristics, measurement methods and verification procedures for multi-channel ultrasonic phased array instruments. Applicable across a frequency range of 0.5 MHz to 10 MHz, the standard covers standalone instruments and instruments used in automated systems (with the caveat that additional tests or adjusted acceptance criteria may be required by agreement). It supersedes the 2015 edition and is aimed at ensuring repeatable, documented instrument performance for NDT applications.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard divides verification into groups of tests and specifies required equipment, procedures and acceptance criteria for instrument conformity. Major technical topics include:
- General requirements and manufacturer’s technical specification for phased array instruments.
- Group 1 (basic performance) tests, e.g.:
- Battery operational time and warm-up stability
- Stability against temperature and voltage variations
- Time base deviation and time-delay resolution
- Transmitter characteristics (pulse repetition frequency, output impedance)
- Receiver performance (cross-talk attenuation, dead time, dynamic range, input impedance, TCG)
- Gates, summation and maximum digitized frequency
- Response time of the instrument
- Group 2 (detailed performance) tests, e.g.:
- Physical condition and external aspects
- Transmitter pulse voltage, rise time and duration; time-delay linearity
- Receiver frequency response, equivalent input noise, gain linearity and channel-to-channel gain variation
- Defined acceptance criteria within the 0.5–10 MHz band and test procedures for reproducible verification.
The document also notes partial applicability to FMC (Full Matrix Capture) and TFM (Total Focusing Method) instruments.
Applications and who uses this standard
EN ISO 18563-1:2022 is used to ensure reliable phased array instrument performance in industrial ultrasonic NDT. Typical users include:
- NDT engineers and inspectors validating equipment before field use
- Manufacturers specifying performance for phased array instruments
- Calibration and test laboratories performing instrument verification
- Quality assurance and procurement teams writing acceptance criteria
- Integrators of automated ultrasonic inspection systems (who may adapt acceptance criteria by agreement)
Practical uses: procurement specification, routine verification, pre-inspection acceptance tests, and baseline characterization for advanced imaging workflows (including partial use with FMC/TFM equipment).
Related standards
- ISO 18563 series (other parts cover probes and system-level aspects)
- Other ultrasonic NDT standards and industry-specific acceptance documents
Keywords: EN ISO 18563-1:2022, ultrasonic phased array, non-destructive testing, phased array instruments, verification, characterization, FMC, TFM, NDT standards.