ASTM E2339-04
(Practice)Standard Practice for Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE)
Standard Practice for Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE)
SCOPE
1.1 This practice facilitates the interoperability of NDE imaging and data acquisition equipment by specifying the image data file format in commonly accepted terms. This practice represents a harmonization of NDE imaging systems, or modalities, with the NEMA Standards Publication titled Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM, see http://medical.nema.org/dicom/2003.html), an international standard for image data acquisition, review, storage and archival. In addition, this practice will provide a standard set of industrial NDE specific information object definitions, which travel beyond the scope of standard DICOM modalities. The goal of this practice is to provide a standard by which NDE image/signal data may be displayed on by any system conforming to the ASTM DICONDE format, regardless of which NDE modality was used to acquire the data.
1.2 This practice has been developed to overcome the issues that arise when archiving or analyzing the data from a variety of NDE techniques, each using proprietary data acquisition systems. As data acquisition modalities evolve, data acquired in the past must remain decipherable. This practice proposes an image data file format in such a way that all the technique parameters, along with the image file, are preserved, regardless of changes in NDE technology. This practice will also permit the viewing of a variety of image types (CT, CR, Ultrasonic, Infrared and Eddy Current) on a single workstation, maintaining all of the pertinent technique parameters along with the image file. This practice addresses the exchange of digital information between NDE imaging equipment.
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 or DICOM conformance.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:E2339–04
Standard Practice for
Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive
Evaluation (DICONDE)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2339; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice facilitates the interoperability of NDE 2.1 ASTM Standards:
imaging and data acquisition equipment by specifying the E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
image data file format in commonly accepted terms. This 2.2 Other Documentation:
practice represents a harmonization of NDE imaging systems, NEMA Standards Publication PS3.1, Version 3: Digital
or modalities, with the NEMA Standards Publication titled Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM, ACR-NEMA 300–1998 Digital Imaging and Communica-
seehttp://medical.nema.org/dicom/2003.html),aninternational tion in Medicine
standard for image data acquisition, review, storage and
3. Terminology
archival. In addition, this practice will provide a standard set of
3.1 Definitions:
industrial NDE specific information object definitions, which
travel beyond the scope of standard DICOM modalities. The 3.1.1 Nondestructive evaluation terms used in this practice
can be found in Terminology E 1316.
goal of this practice is to provide a standard by which NDE
image/signal data may be displayed on by any system con- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 AE—application entity
forming to the ASTM DICONDE format, regardless of which
NDE modality was used to acquire the data. 3.2.2 attribute—a property of an information object. An
attribute has a name and a value, which are independent of any
1.2 This practice has been developed to overcome the issues
that arise when archiving or analyzing the data from a variety encoding scheme.
3.2.3 conformance statement—a formal statement associ-
of NDE techniques, each using proprietary data acquisition
ated with a specific implementation of the standard, specifying
systems. As data acquisition modalities evolve, data acquired
inthepastmustremaindecipherable.Thispracticeproposesan the service class, information objects, and communications
protocols supported by the implementations.
image data file format in such a way that all the technique
parameters, along with the image file, are preserved, regardless 3.2.4 data dictionary—a registry of data elements, which
assigns a unique tag, a name, value characteristics, and
of changes in NDE technology. This practice will also permit
the viewing of a variety of image types (CT, CR, Ultrasonic, semantics to each data element.
3.2.5 tag identifier—an ordered pair (gggg, eeee) where
Infrared and Eddy Current) on a single workstation, maintain-
ing all of the pertinent technique parameters along with the gggg represents the group number and eeee represents the data
element.
image file. This practice addresses the exchange of digital
information between NDE imaging equipment. 3.2.6 type—the value characteristics associated with the
data elements, that is, the data structure definition, based on the
1.3 This practice does not specify:
1.3.1 A testing or validation procedure to assess an imple- negotiated transfer syntax.
3.2.7 Value Representation (VR)—the value characteristics
mentation’s conformance to the standard.
1.3.2 The implementation details of any features of the associated with the data elements, that is, the data structure
definition, based on the negotiated transfer syntax.
standard on a device claiming conformance.
1.3.3 The overall set of features and functions to be ex-
4. Summary of Practice
pected from a system implemented by integrating a group of
4.1 The basic concept of using DICONDE (or DICOM) is
devices each claiming DICONDE or DICOM conformance.
the usage of standardized data tag identifiers. This means all
participants are using database entries representing the same
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
information and have a common understanding of communi-
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.11 on Digital
cation protocols for mutual use. For standardization of data
Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE).
transfer, the conformance statement, a mutually agreed upon
Current edition approved May 1, 2004. Published June 2004.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2339–04
document provides the specific database tag identifiers for version 1.0, the published revisions, and additional revisions. It
every part of the NDE data stream as well as the communica- also included new material to provide command support for
tions protocols. display devices, to introduce a new hierarchy scheme to
4.2 The DICONDE practice will consist of descriptions of identify an image, and to add data elements for increased
the object definitions which are specific to NDE (that is, no specificity when describing an image.
equivalent counterpart in medicine) and provide standard
6.1.5 These standards publications specified a hardware
database tag identifiers for use with the DICOM database
interface, a minimum set of software commands, and a
already in existence. The use of this practice is based upon and
consistent set of data formats.
to be used in conjunction with the medical DICOM standard.
6.2 The DICOM Standard
This practice, in conjunction with the DICOM standard, will
6.2.1 DICOM, Digital Imaging and Communications in
set forth the requirements for the transfer and display of NDE
Medicine Version 3.0 embodies a number of major enhance-
image data from any NDE image modalities equipment.
ments to previous versions of the standard:
5. Significance and Use 6.2.1.1 It is applicable to a networked environment. The
previous versions were applicable in a point-to-point environ-
5.1 Personnel that are responsible for the transfer of NDE
ment only; for operation in a networked environment a
data between systems will use this standard. This practice will
Network Interface Unit (NIU) was required. DICOM Version
define a set of NDE information object definitions that along
3.0 supports operation in a networked environment using
with the DICOM standard will provide a standard means to
standard networking protocols such as OSI and TCP/IP.
organize image data. Once conformance statements have been
6.2.1.2 It specifies how devices claiming conformance to
generated, the NDE image data may be displayed on any
the standard react to commands and data being exchanged.
imaging/analysis device that conforms to the standard. This
Previous versions were confined to the transfer of data, but
process of developing conformance statements with both the
DICOM Version 3.0 specifies, through the concept of service
NDE specific object definitions and the DICOM accepted
classes, the semantics of commands and associated data.
definitions, will provide a means to automatically and trans-
parently communicate between compliant equipment without
6.2.1.3 It specifies levels of conformance. Previous versions
loss of information. specified a minimum level of conformance. DICOM Version
3.0 explicitly describes how an implementer must structure a
NOTE 1—Knowledge and understanding of the existing DICOM stan-
conformance claim to select specific options.
dard will be required to generate conformance statements and thereby
facilitate the data transfer. 6.2.1.4 It is structured as a multi-part document. This
facilitates evolution of the Standard in a rapidly evolving
6. Background: DICOM (Digital Imaging
environment by simplifying the addition of new features. ISO
Communication for Medicine)
directives which define how to structure multi-part documents
6.1 History
have been followed in the construction of the DICOM Stan-
6.1.1 With the introduction of computed tomography (CT)
dard.
and other digital diagnostic imaging modalities in the 1970’s,
6.2.1.5 It introduces explicit Information Objects not only
andtheincreasinguseofcomputersinclinicalapplications,the
for images and graphics but also for studies, reports, and so
American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National
forth.
Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recognized the
6.2.1.6 It specifies an established technique for uniquely
emerging need for a standard method for transferring images
identifying any information object. This facilitates unambigu-
and associated information between devices manufactured by
ous definitions of relationships between Information Objects as
various vendors. These devices produce a variety of digital
they are acted upon across the network.
image formats.
6.2.2 DICOM was developed in liaison with ACR (the
6.1.2 The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the
American College of Radiology) and NEMA (the National
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Electrical Manufacturers Association) and other Standard Or-
formed a joint committee in 1983 to develop a standard to:
ganizations including CEN TC251 in Europe and JIRA in
6.1.2.1 promote communication of digital image informa-
Japan, with review also by other organizations including IEEE,
tion, regardless of device manufacturer;
HL7andANSIintheUSA.TheDICOMStandardisstructured
6.1.2.2 facilitate the development and expansion of picture
as a multi-part document.
archiving and communication systems (PACS) that can also
6.2.3 The DICOM standard consists of the following parts:
interface with other systems of hospital information;
6.2.3.1 Part 1—Introduction and Overview
6.1.2.3 allow the creation of diagnostic information data
bases that can be interrogated by a wide variety of devices 6.2.3.2 Part 2—Conformance: The principles that imple-
distributed geographically. mentations claiming conformance to the standard shall follow,
6.1.3 ACR-NEMA Standards Publication No. 300-1985, specifically, the requirements as defined in the DICOM stan-
published in 1985 was designated version 1.0. The Standard dard. The conformance requirement specifies the general
was followed by two revisions, No. 1 dated October 1986 and requirements, which must be met by any implementation
No. 2 dated January 1988. claiming conformance. The conformance claim defines the
6.1.4 ACR-NEMA Standards Publication No. 300-1988, structure of a conformance claim and specifies the information,
published in 1988 was designated version 2.0. It included which must be present in a conformance claim. These are
E2339–04
further referenced in the conformance sections of each of the 8.1.1 For all modules shown as DICOM IODs, the details of
NDE modality practices. the Composite Information Object Definition can be found in
6.2.3.3 Part 3—Information Object Definitions the NEMA Standard Part 3 Sections A.1.1 through A.1.3.
6.2.3.4 Part 4—Service Class Specifications: The character- 8.2 DICOM to DICONDE I Information Object Definition
istics shared by all service classes, and how a conformance 8.2.1 The composite information object modules developed
claim to an individual service class is structured is defined. for DICOM include specifications for Computed Radiography
6.2.3.5 Part 5—Data Structure and Semantics: The encod- (CR), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance
ing rules necessary to construct a Data Stream to be conveyed (MR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NM), Ultrasonics (US),
in a message are addressed. Ultrasonics-multi-frame (US-mf), and non-image signal. In-
6.2.3.6 Part 6—Data Dictionary: The centralized registry, dustrial NDE has additional requirements for the additional
which defines the collection of all data elements available to methods used.
represent information, is called the data dictionary. 8.2.2 In addition to certain technique changes, certain as-
6.2.3.7 Part 7—Message Exchange: The message exchange pects of the modules must refer to different aspects of the
specifies the rules to establish and terminate associations industrial NDE community. For instance, industry deals with
provided by the communications support; the rules that govern parts not patients. Ultimately, this will require the additional
the exchange of command requests and responses; and the standard object definitions pertinent to industrial NDE, though
encoding rules necessary to construct command streams and the majority of the modules of DICOM can still be utilized.
messages. These common industrial NDE specific information object
6.2.3.8 Part 8—Network Communication Support for Mes- definition modules are defined in this practice. These changes
sage Exchange: The communication services and the upper will still permit the use of the DICOM standard for industrial
layer protocols necessary to support, in a networked environ- use, with only a minor change in the object definitions
ment, the application message exchange are specified. protocols.
6.2.3.9 Part 9—Point-to-Point Communication Support for
NOTE 2—Theentriesgrayedoutarethosemodulesthatarenottypically
Message Exchange: The service and protocols used for point-
used for industrial NDE.
to-point communications (the physical interface and signaling
8.2.3 In summary, only three additional common informa-
protocols) are specified. The OSI-like data link and session/
tion object definitions modules must be defined for industrial
transport/network protocols and the services of the protocol
NDE: Component, Component Summary and Component
stack to be used on this physical interface are defined.
Study.
6.2.4 The Parts are related but independent documents.
8.2.4 The following Table 1 represents the Composite In-
Their development level and approval status may differ.
formation Object Modules Overview with the DICOM and the
7. DICONDE Introduction additional DICONDE module requirements information.
Where similarities exist, the DICONDE modules will use
7.1 This practice provides an introduction and overview of
existing DICOM module information. For example, the Patient
DICONDE standard, the industrial NDE extension of the
Module will be used extensively to correlate to the Component
medical community DICOM standard published by NEMA.
Module for industrial NDE. An M in the Table means a
7.1.1 General Structure of DICONDE
“Mandatory” module, a C means “Conditional” use of the
7.1.1.1 DICONDE, utilizing the existing DICOM database
module, and “U” means “User Option” for use of the module.
of object definitions, provides additional object definitions that
Refer to the corresponding Information Object Definitio
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