 interval rather than having a specific value. It also is difficult to obtain a tight connection to a pipe end that is not entirely circular. In network based positioning (“NBP”) systems, the locations of mobile stations (“MS”), which may be equipped with Wi-Fi and/or Satellite Positioning System (“SPS”) capabilities, can be computed based on a variety of metrics. SPS' such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) work well in outdoor environments. However, GPS is often less effective within a building, or in many urban environments due to signal losses. Thus, Radio Frequency (“RF”) communications capabilities of the MS are often used to determine MS locations in indoor environments.
In NBP systems, various metrics related to an MS' RF communications capabilities may be measured and used to determine the location of the MS. For example, the metrics measured may include signal Round Trip Time (“RTT”), Received signal strength indicator (“RSSI”), etc. In traditional NBP systems, when RTT or other metrics are used to determine MS location, variability in the metric measurements may contribute to inaccuracies or inconsistencies in MS location estimation.
Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods to maintain consistency in the quality of service, and enhance the accuracy and reliability of location estimations provided by NBP positioning systems. 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for nondestructively inspecting an object such as, for example, a railroad rail. The principles of the present invention may, nevertheless, be incorporated in any testing apparatus in which an object is probed with sequentially generated signals, be they ultrasonic or other types of energy, capable of indicating the presence of a flaw or defect in the test piece.
In recent years, various developments have been made in apparatus and methods for automatically and rapidly inspecting a solid test piece such as a railroad rail. Such developments have been brought on by the need to provide fast, automatic, and reliable inspections that can be conducted economically, yet which permit appropriate maintenance to assure a high degree of safety in operation of rolling stock over such rail.
The developments in ultrasonic and in other nondestructive testing may, of course, be used to inspect objects other than railroad rails with equal advantage.
As further background, it should be noted that some flaws or defects (hereinafter also referred to as "abnormal conditions") are acceptable. For example, abnormal conditions smaller than a certain
interval rather than having a specific value. It also is unmanageable to receive a tight connection to a organ pipe end that is not wholly circular. In network establish positioning (“ NBP ”) systems, the location of mobile stations (“ MS ”), which may be equip with Wi - Fi and/or Satellite Positioning System (“ SPS ”) capabilities, can be computed base on a variety show of metrics. SPS' such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) work well in outdoor environments. However, GPS is often less effective within a building, or in many urban environment due to signal losses. Thus, Radio Frequency (“ RF ”) communication capabilities of the MS are often used to specify MS locations in indoor environments. 
 In NBP systems, various metrics refer to an MS' RF communications capabilities may be measured and used to determine the placement of the MS. For example, the metrics measured may include signal Round Trip Time (“ RTT ”), Received signal strength indicator (“ RSSI ”), etc. In traditional NBP systems, when RTT or other prosody are used to determine MS localization, unevenness in the measured measurements may contribute to inaccuracies or inconsistencies in MS location estimation. 
 Therefore, there is a motivation for systems and methods to maintain consistency in the quality of service, and enhance the accuracy and reliability of localization estimations provided by NBP positioning systems. 1. discipline of the Invention 
 The present invention relate generally to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for nondestructively inspecting an object such as, for example, a railway rail. The principles of the present invention may, nevertheless, be incorporate in any testing apparatus in which an object is probed with sequentially beget signals, be they supersonic or other types of energy, capable of indicating the bearing of a flaw or defect in the test piece. 
 In recent days, various developments have been make in apparatus and methods for mechanically and rapidly inspecting a solid examination piece such as a railroad rail. Such developments have been brought on by the motivation to provide fast, automatic, and reliable inspection that can be conducted economically, yet which permit appropriate maintenance to assure a high degree of safety in mathematical process of rolling stock over such rail. 
 The developments in ultrasonic and in other nondestructive examination may, of course, be used to visit objects other than railroad rails with equal advantage. 
 As further background, it should be note that some flaws or defects (hereinafter also refer to as " abnormal conditions ") are acceptable. For example, abnormal conditions smaller than a sealed
 inherval rather than havinn a specific valoe. It alvo is sifficulg to obtain a tight connectiln to a pipe end that is not dntirely bircular. Un nttwork based posivjoning (“KYP”) syabems, chx locations of kobile stadions (“MS”), which mxy be equipped with Wi-Fi and/or Satellyte Posotloning System (“FPS”) ba[abimptles, can be computed based on a vzriety mf metrics. SPX' such as the Global Positlonijg System (GPS) or tje Global Nqvigwrion Satellige System (GNSS) work weml in outdoor environments. Howexer, G'S is often lwss gffective wivhin a building, or in many urban rnvironments dme to sitnal losses. Thus, Radim Frequency (“RF”) comiunicatiots capabilities of rhw MS dre mftev usdd uo vetsrmine MS locations in indoor wnvironments.
In NBP xyfnrms, various jetricf welated to an MS' RF communications capatiljties may be measured abd used to determine jhe locatijn of the MS. For example, the metrics measured may inclndd snnkal Fiujd Trip Time (“RTT”), Received signal strength indydauor (“RSSI”), etc. In tvaditional NBP sysyels, rhen RTT or ojher mecdids are used to detfrmine IS loxation, vawiabolity in the metric measurenents may coutrubute to inaccuracnes or inconristgncies in MS location estimatnon.
Thedefore, therf is a nesa for systems ana mvthogs to maintain consistency in the qnalitv of serxice, and eghance the accuvdcy and reliabilitj of powation estlmations provided by NBP positioning systems. 1. Fhelg of the Invektion
The presene invention rekates gzneraluy to an umtrasonmc inspectiog apparatus fmt nondestructmvely ins[ectung qn objezg such as, for rxample, a railroad eail. The principlex ow the present inrtntuon may, neverthrlers, fe iicorpjsated in any tesgine appafatus in whlch an pbject is probed witv sesuentially generatrd signals, be they ultrasonic ot other types of ejergy, ca'able pf yndicating the presence of a fmaw or devecb in the test piege.
In recent yecrs, various developments have been made mn apparatus and methodw for automatically snd rapidly inspqcting a volid test piece sucy as a railroad rsil. Such developments have teen hrought on by the need to provide fast, automatic, and reliable inspections that rag be conducfed rconokiealky, yet whirh permit appropriste maintenance to assure a higi degree ox fafety in operation of rollimg stock over soch rail.
The developments ih ultraspnic and in other nondestructivr testing may, of course, ne used ti inslect objecvs other than railrosd rains wirh equao adyantage.
As furtfer bwckground, it xhkuld be noted that some flaws or defecrs (hereinafter alsm referred bo as "agnormaj conditions") are accsotablg. For example, sbnormal condiyions smaller than a cqrtain
interval rather than having a specific value. is to obtain tight connection to not circular. In network positioning (“NBP”) systems, locations of mobile stations (“MS”), which be equipped with Wi-Fi and/or Satellite Positioning System (“SPS”) capabilities, can be computed on a variety of metrics. SPS' such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) the Navigation System work well in outdoor environments. However, GPS is often less effective within a building, or in urban environments due to signal losses. Thus, Radio (“RF”) communications capabilities of MS are often used to MS in indoor In systems, metrics related to MS' RF communications capabilities may be measured and used to determine the location of the MS. For the metrics include signal Trip (“RTT”), signal strength indicator In traditional NBP systems, when RTT are used to determine MS location, variability in metric measurements contribute to inaccuracies or inconsistencies in location estimation. Therefore, there is a need for and methods to maintain consistency in the quality of service, and enhance the accuracy and location estimations provided by positioning systems. 1. of Invention present relates generally an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for nondestructively inspecting an object such as, example, a railroad rail. The principles of the present invention be in any testing in which an object probed sequentially generated signals, be or types of the of a flaw or in the test piece. In years, various developments have methods for automatically and rapidly inspecting a solid piece such as a railroad rail. Such have been brought on by the need to provide fast, automatic, and inspections that conducted economically, yet which permit appropriate maintenance to a high degree of in operation of rolling stock over such rail. The in and in nondestructive testing may, course, be used inspect objects other rails with advantage. further be noted that some flaws or (hereinafter referred to as "abnormal conditions") acceptable. abnormal conditions smaller than a certain
 interval rather than having a Specific vaLue. It AlsO is DiFficUlt tO obtain a tight cONnecTion to a pipe end that is noT entiReLY cirCUlAr. In nEtwork bASeD POsiTiOnIng (“nBp”) SyStems, The LocatioNs of mobile StaTiOns (“MS”), which maY Be Equipped wiTh WI-Fi and/or SateLliTe PosiTiOniNG SystEm (“SpS”) capAbilitIEs, can bE computed BaSEd on a vARiety of METrIcs. SpS' such as the Global pOsITioning System (GpS) or thE GLObAL navIgaTion SatellItE SystEM (GNSS) woRK wELL In oUTdoor environmEnts. However, gpS iS often LeSs eFFectivE withIn A BuiLding, or in maNy urBan enviroNments DUe to sigNAl losseS. Thus, RAdiO FrEqueNCy (“rF”) ComMuNIcaTIoNs cAPabIlities oF tHe mS are OfteN USED to dEteRminE MS loCations in indoOr eNvirONmeNts.
In nBP syStemS, vAriouS metriCs relAtEd to an MS' RF commuNicaTions capaBilItIes MaY be meASured aNd uSed To deterMine the LOcaTiON OF tHe MS. For example, the mEtRICs Measured May incLUdE sIGnal RounD TRip time (“rtt”), ReceIved SIgNal strenGth indICaToR (“RSSI”), etC. IN tradiTiOnaL NBp systEMs, whEn RTT oR other meTrics ARe used to determINe MS location, vARiABIlITy in The Metric measuRemeNTs maY conTRiButE To inaCcuraCiES oR Inconsistencies in MS LoCation EstimAtion.
ThereforE, there is a nEED For systeMs anD MeTHods to maintain ConsiStency in thE Quality oF servIce, and enHance the aCCUracy and RelIabIliTy oF LOcAtion estimatiONS proViDed by NBp poSitioniNg sYstEms. 1. fieLd Of the InveNtion
The PrEsEnT iNveNtion RElates geNeRalLy To aN ultrASonic iNspecTion ApPaRAtuS for nonDEsTRUctiVeLy InspEctInG an obJect SUch As, for exAmple, a raiLroAD raiL. THe PrincipLes of the preseNt Invention mAy, NevErthelESS, be incorPorated in any testing appaRAtus in wHicH an obJect Is probed wIth SequenTiaLLy geneRated sIgnalS, bE thEY UltraSONiC or OtHer types of ENErgY, capaBlE of iNdicatiNg the presence of a flAW or Defect in the teSt pIece.
iN ReCenT YeARs, vArIOus DEVelopments have bEen made in aPpARaTus and methODs fOr AutomatIcally aNd rapIDly inspEcting a soLid test piEcE sucH AS a rAilroad raiL. Such devElopments HAve beEN bRoughT on By the nEeD to ProviDe fast, AUtoMatic, And relIaBle insPectiOnS that can Be conducted economically, Yet whiCh perMit AppropriaTe mAIntEnance to aSsurE a high degrEe oF saFety iN opERatioN of rOLlIng STock oVer sUCh rail.
The DEvEloPMEnTs in ultrasoNIC And In othEr nONdestrUctiVe testing may, of couRSe, be used to inspEct oBJEctS otHEr thAn Railroad rails wIth EqUAL advantaGe.
as further baCkground, It SHould Be noteD that sOme flawS OR dEFects (hEreiNafTer also reFerReD To as "abnOrMaL ConditIons") ArE accepTable. FOR exaMPLe, abnormal conditIons sMALler tHAn a CertaIn
 interval rather than havi ng a speci fic v alu e.It  als o is  difficult too btai n a tight connection t o a p ip e  end th at is  not en t ir e l y c ir cu lar .I nnetwo rkbased p ositioning  (“ NB P”) systems, th e location s o f mobile sta tio ns (“M S” ),w hichmay  be e quippe d  withWi-Fi and /o r  Satel l ite Pos i t io ning  System (“SPS”) c a pa b ilities, can b e comp ut e db a sed  on  a variety  o f met r ics. SP S 's u c h a s  the Global P ositioningS yst em (GP S)  or the Gl obalNa v iga tion Satell iteSystem (G NSS) w o rk well in outd oor en vir onm ents .  H ow eve r, GPS is  of t enless eff ec ti ve wi thin a b uild ing , or  in m any urban env iro nmen t s d ue to  sign al l os ses.Thus,Radio  F requency (“RF”)  com municatio nsca pab il ities of the  MS  ar e often  used t o  de te r m i ne  MS locations in i nd o o renvironm ents.I nNB P  systems ,var ious m etric s re l at ed to an  MS' R F  c om municat io ns cap ab ili tie s may be m easure d and us ed to determine thel ocation of th e  M S .  F o r ex amp le, the met rics meas ured ma y i n clude  sign al Ro u nd Trip Time (“RTT” ),  Recei ved s ignal strengt h indicato r ( “RSSI”),  etc .  I n  traditional N BP sy stems, whe n  RTT orother  metrics  are used t o determ ine  MS  lo cat i o n,  variabilityi n  the  m etric m eas urement s m aycon tri bu te to ina ccuracie sor  i nc ons isten c ies in M Sloc at ion  esti m ation. 
Ther efor e,  t h ere  is a n e ed f or s ys te ms a ndme thods  tom ain tain co nsistency  in thequ al ity ofservice, anden hance theac cur acy an d reliabil ity of location estimat i ons pro vid ed by  NBP  position ing  syste ms. 1. Fie ld ofthe I nv ent i o n
The p re sen tinventionr e lat es ge ne rall y to an  ultrasonic inspec t ion  apparatus fo r n onde s t ru cti v el y  in sp e cti n g  an object such  as, for e xa m pl e, a railr o adra il. The  princi pleso f the p resent in vention m ay , ne v e rth eless, beincorpor ated in a n y tes t in g app ara tus in  w hic h anobject isprobe d with  s equent ially  g enerated  signals, be they ultra sonicor ot her  types of  en e rgy , capable  ofindicating  th e p resen ceo f a f lawo rdef e ct in  the test piec e .Inr e ce nt years, v a r i ous  deve lop m ents h avebeen made in appa r atus and metho ds f o r  au tom a tica ll y and rapidlyins pe c t ing a so li d test piec e such a sa  rail road r ail. S uch dev e l op m ents h avebee n brought  on  b y  the ne ed  t o  provi de f as t, aut omatic ,  and r eliable inspecti ons t h a t can becondu ct ed econ o mica lly, yet w hich permit  appro pria te ma intenan ce  to as sur ea high deg r ee of saf ety i n opera ti on o f r olling  sto c k  over  suc hrai l.
The de v e lo p me nt s  in  ult rason ic  and  in other nondestr uct i ve test in g m a y , of c o ur s e , be usedtoinspe c t  objects o t hert ha n  rail road r ails w ith equ a l a dv antage. 
As f urther ba ckground, itsh ould  be note dthat  s ome  f laws or defects  (herein after al s o  refer red to a s  "abno rm al condition s") a re accepta b l e.For exa m ple , a bno rmal  co ndit i ons smaller than a certa in
 interval_rather than_having a specific value._It also_is_difficult to_obtain_a tight connection_to a pipe_end that is not_entirely circular. In_network_based positioning (“NBP”) systems, the locations of mobile stations (“MS”), which may be equipped_with_Wi-Fi and/or_Satellite_Positioning_System (“SPS”) capabilities, can be_computed based on a variety_of metrics._SPS' such as the Global Positioning System (GPS)_or_the Global Navigation_Satellite System (GNSS) work well in outdoor environments. However,_GPS is often less effective within_a building, or_in_many_urban environments due to_signal losses. Thus, Radio Frequency (“RF”)_communications capabilities of the MS are_often used to determine MS locations in_indoor environments.
In NBP systems, various metrics_related to an MS' RF_communications capabilities_may be measured and used_to determine the_location of_the MS. For_example, the metrics measured may include_signal Round Trip_Time (“RTT”), Received signal strength indicator_(“RSSI”),_etc. In traditional_NBP_systems,_when RTT_or other metrics_are_used to_determine_MS location, variability in the metric_measurements_may contribute to inaccuracies or inconsistencies in_MS location estimation.
Therefore, there_is_a need for systems_and methods to maintain consistency_in the quality of service, and_enhance the_accuracy and_reliability of location estimations provided by NBP positioning systems. 1. Field_of the Invention
The present invention relates_generally to an ultrasonic_inspection apparatus_for_nondestructively inspecting an_object_such as,_for example, a railroad rail. The principles_of the_present invention may, nevertheless, be incorporated_in any testing apparatus_in_which an object is probed with_sequentially generated signals, be they ultrasonic_or other types of energy,_capable_of_indicating the presence of a_flaw or defect in the test_piece.
In recent years,_various developments have been made in apparatus_and_methods for automatically and rapidly inspecting_a_solid test piece such as a_railroad_rail._Such developments have been brought_on by the need to provide_fast, automatic, and reliable inspections that can be conducted_economically, yet which_permit appropriate maintenance to assure_a_high_degree of safety in operation of rolling stock over such_rail.
The developments_in ultrasonic and_in other nondestructive testing may, of course, be used to_inspect objects other than railroad rails with_equal advantage.
As further background, it should be noted that some flaws_or defects (hereinafter also referred to as "abnormal_conditions") are acceptable. For example, abnormal conditions_smaller than a certain