A knowledge based approach for design optimization of ultrasonic transducers and arrays

Ultrasonic transducers and arrays are used routinely in a diverse range of applications, including biomedicine, non-destructive testing, sonar and process monitoring. This paper presents a knowledge based approach for design and optimization of complex ultrasonic transducer systems. Examples of the design optimization process are illustrated. The first of these relates to the implementation of a front face matching layer, designed to promote bandwidth and sensitivity in relatively straightforward thickness mode applications. This is followed by a multi-layered structure comprising different zones of piezoelectric polarisation. A mathematical model has been developed and used for simulation purposes, with the number and dimensions of the active layers, along with passive matching layer information being fed as variable parameters for the optimizer. The results are shown to compare very favourably with conventional methods and serve to demonstrate that the knowledge-based approach is a very efficient and attractive alternative. It may be implemented for design and optimization of any kind of thickness mode transducer system, subject to the availability of an appropriate simulator.