ASTM E2663 : 08

1.1 This practice facilitates the interoperability of ultrasonic imaging equipment by specifying image data transfer and archival storage methods in commonly accepted terms. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with Practice E 2339 on Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE). Practice E 2339 defines an industrial adaptation of the NEMA StandardDetails Publication titled Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM, see http://medical.nema.org), an international standard for image data acquisition, review, transfer and archival storage. The goal of Practice E 2339, commonly referred to as DICONDE, is to provide a standard that facilitates the display and analysis of NDE test results on any system conforming to the DICONDE standard. Toward that end, Practice E 2339 provides a data dictionary and set of information modules that are applicable to all NDE modalities. This practice supplements Practice E 2339 by providing information object definitions, information modules and data dictionary that are specific to ultrasonic test methods.

1.2 This practice has been developed to overcome the issues that arise when analyzing or archiving data from ultrasonic test equipment using proprietary data transfer and storage methods. As digital technologies evolve, data must remain decipherable through the use of open, industry-wide methods for data transfer and archival storage. This practice defines a method where all the ultrasonic technique parameters and test results are communicated and stored in a standard format regardless of changes in digital technology.

1.3 This practice does not specify:

1.3.1 A testing or validation procedure to assess an implementation's conformance to the standard.

1.3.2 The implementation details of any features of the standard on a device claiming conformance.

1.3.3 The overall set of features and functions to be expected from a system implemented by integrating a group of devices each claiming DICONDE conformance.

1.4 Although this practice contains no values that require units, it does describe methods to store and communicate data that do require units to be properly interpreted. The SI units required by this practice are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.