Tuxedo A "Banding Line" Artifacts

This article is designed to explain some common artifacts that have been seen with the Tuxedo A sensors. If you are looking for basic Tuxedo A sensor image quality settings, please see our image quality article.

The most common issues seen for Tuxedo A sensors poor image quality are generally referred to as "banding" artifacts. Banding lines will look different depending on its cause, and will have a different resolution for each type. Below are examples of common banding issues, their causes, and the recommended resolutions.

1. Frequency Lines - Repeating pattern of lines over the entire image
   
   These lines are caused by electrical interference. Minimizing the number of electronics around the sensor and its cord should fix this issue. Unfortunately, however, this is generally an environmental issue outside of Apteryx control.
   
   
2. Pixel Defect Line - Single pixel wide line either vertically or horizontally across the image, or individual pixels permanently black or white.
   These are manufacturer defects that are corrected via a calibration file. These are usually only visible due to a missing/misplaced/corrupt calibration file for that sensor. Calibration files are usually downloaded the first time a specific sensor is attempted to be captured from (per Apteryx installation).
   
   
3. Thumbprint Lines - Subtle lines resembling a thumbprint across the entire image.
   Insufficient x-ray saturation is usually the cause for these lines. They will generally disappear with a slight increase in exposure time.
   
   
4. Edge Lines - Banding lines seen at the edge of an image.
   This is a common issue seen when AC tube heads are being used. Changing the Integration Mode to Max between TWI and X detection generally fixes this. Below are instructions on performing this change.

   • XrayVision

     • With XrayVision open, click Tools at the top of the program, then select Hardware Options.
     • On the left, select Sensors. Double click on TuxedoASeries in the listing to right.
     • Click the Sensor Configuration tab and make sure Integration Mode is set to Max between TWI and X detection while the Integration Time should be 5000.
     • Click OK twice.

   • XVCapture/DCV

     • From the main screen of XVCapture/DCV, click on Advanced User Tools and then Preferences.
     • On the left, select Imaging Extension, then click on the little red caret (>) next to Digital X-ray Image Capture.
       
     • SINGLE click on TuxedoASeries Digital X-ray.
       
     • Select Hardware Settings from the left and make sure Integration Mode is set to Max between TWI and X detection while the Integration Time should be 5000.
       
     • Click OK twice.

Article Version 1.0 2021.06.18