Mainboard for medical ultrasound and direct current power supply circuit

Abstract

A mainboard for medical ultrasound and a DC power supply circuit, the mainboard comprising a core circuit, a peripheral circuit, and a DC power supply circuit for supplying power, the DC power supply circuit comprising a processor power supply device, a co-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller, and a plurality of local power supply devices. When the system ready signal indicates the working state, the same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller generates a plurality of phase shift frequency signals with the same frequency and different phases according to the core frequency signal. The processor power supply device and the local power supply device respectively generate core conversion power and peripheral conversion power according to the core frequency signal and the phase shift frequency signal. Peripheral conversion power is generated through phase shift frequency signals with the same frequency and different phases, so that generated electromagnetic interference frequency sources are reduced, and the accuracy of ultrasonic imaging is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power management device, and more particularly to a power management device for a motherboard suitable for medical ultrasound applications. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 An existing motherboard power supply architecture for powering multiple peripheral circuits 94 and a processor 95 includes a power supply unit 91, multiple power converters 93, and a processor power converter 96. The power supply unit 91 is electrically connected to the power converters 93 and the processor power converter 96 and provides DC power. The processor power converter 96 generates a core power supply based on the DC power supply and a pulse modulation signal (602kHz) and supplies it to the processor 95. The power converters 93 correspond to pulse modulation signals of different operating frequencies (2.4MHz, 750kHz, 800kHz, 1MHz), and each power converter 93 generates a peripheral power supply based on the corresponding pulse modulation signal and the DC power supply and provides it to the peripheral circuits 94. However, the use of multiple pulse modulation signals of different frequencies in a medical ultrasound generation system leads to the following problems: the pulse modulation signals (and their accompanying harmonics) used by the power converter 93 happen to fall within the scanning frequency band of medical ultrasound, causing interference to the scanning results. Even if the processor uses additional calculations to shield the abnormal signals of 2.4MHz, 750kHz, 800kHz, 1MHz and their respective harmonics, the fact that some frequencies are shielded by software due to interference affects the actual numerical calculation results of the ultrasound images for those frequencies, which may lead to errors in pathological diagnosis.

[0003] Regarding the aforementioned impacts, such as Figure 2Another existing motherboard power architecture, as shown, proposes using a single-frequency pulse-modulated signal to reduce interference sources in the scanning frequency band of medical ultrasound. It includes a power supply device 91, a frequency generation circuit 92, multiple power converters 93, and a processor power converter 96. The connections between the power supply device 91, the power converters 93, the peripheral circuitry 94, and the processor 95 are the same as described above. The frequency generation circuit 92 is electrically connected to the power converters 93 and generates multiple pulse-modulated signals of the same frequency and phase to the power converters 93. However, the power converters 93, based on the pulse-modulated signals of the same phase and frequency, experience problems such as excessive instantaneous power load and excessive radiated energy, affecting the lifespan of the power supply device 91. Furthermore, because the power wattage drawn from the power supply device 91 at the same time is too high, the power supply demand on the power supply device 91 increases, causing energy to be concentrated at the same point in time, resulting in poor EMI performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a motherboard that can increase the accuracy of medical ultrasound generation systems and avoid excessive instantaneous power load.

[0005] The motherboard for medical ultrasound applications of this invention includes a core circuit, multiple peripheral circuits, and a DC power supply circuit.

[0006] The DC power supply circuit is electrically connected to the core circuit and the peripheral circuit, and is used to supply power to the core circuit and the peripheral circuit. It includes a main power supply device, a processor power supply device, a same-frequency and different-phase frequency controller, and multiple local power supply devices.

[0007] This main power supply unit is used to provide multiple DC power sources.

[0008] The processor power supply is used to generate a core frequency signal, and to generate a core conversion power supply to the core circuitry based on one of the DC power sources and the core frequency signal. The core frequency signal has a core frequency.

[0009] The same-frequency, out-of-phase frequency controller is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and a system ready signal, and generates multiple phase-shift frequency signals based on the core frequency signal and the system ready signal. The system ready signal is used to indicate one of a non-operating state and an operating state. When the system ready signal indicates the operating state, the operating frequency of the phase-shift frequency signals is the same as the core frequency, and each corresponds to a different phase.

[0010] The local power supply device is electrically connected to the same-frequency and different-phase frequency controller and the main power supply device. Each local power supply device generates a peripheral conversion power according to the corresponding DC power and the corresponding phase shift frequency signal and provides it to the corresponding peripheral circuit.

[0011] Preferably, the same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller includes a default frequency generator, a switching frequency generator, and a frequency selection device.

[0012] This default frequency generator is used to generate a default frequency signal.

[0013] The conversion frequency generator is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and generates a conversion frequency signal based on the core frequency signal. The operating frequency of the conversion frequency signal is the same as the core frequency of the core frequency signal.

[0014] The frequency selection device is electrically connected to the conversion frequency generator and the default frequency generator, and receives a system ready signal, a default frequency signal from the default frequency generator, and a conversion frequency signal from the conversion frequency generator. Based on the system ready signal, it selects one of the default frequency signal and the conversion frequency signal as an output frequency signal, and generates the phase shift frequency signal based on the output frequency signal. When the system ready signal indicates the operating state, the frequency selection device selects the conversion frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase shift frequency signal with the same operating frequency as the core frequency but corresponding to different phases.

[0015] Preferably, when the system ready signal indicates the non-operating state, the frequency selection device generates the phase shift frequency signal according to the default frequency signal, and the operating frequency of each phase shift frequency signal is the same as the default frequency signal.

[0016] Preferably, when the system readiness signal indicates the non-operating state, the local power supply device generates the peripheral conversion power and provides it to the peripheral circuit according to the phase shift frequency signal derived from the default frequency signal.

[0017] Another objective of this invention is to provide a DC power supply circuit for medical ultrasound applications, wherein the DC power supply circuit is electrically connected to a core circuit and a peripheral circuit, and includes a main power supply device, a processor power supply device, a same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller, and a plurality of local power supply devices.

[0018] This main power supply unit is used to provide multiple DC power sources.

[0019] The processor power supply is used to generate a core frequency signal, and to generate a core conversion power supply to the core circuitry based on one of the DC power sources and the core frequency signal. The core frequency signal has a core frequency.

[0020] The same-frequency, out-of-phase frequency controller is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and a system ready signal, and generates multiple phase-shift frequency signals based on the core frequency signal and the system ready signal. The system ready signal is used to indicate one of a non-operating state and an operating state. When the system ready signal indicates the operating state, the operating frequency of the phase-shift frequency signals is the same as the core frequency, and each corresponds to a different phase.

[0021] The local power supply device is electrically connected to the same-frequency and different-phase frequency controller and the main power supply device. Each local power supply device generates a peripheral conversion power according to the corresponding DC power and the corresponding phase shift frequency signal and provides it to the corresponding peripheral circuit.

[0022] Preferably, the same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller includes a default frequency generator, a switching frequency generator, and a frequency selection device.

[0023] The frequency generator is used to generate a default frequency signal.

[0024] The conversion frequency generator is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and generates a conversion frequency signal based on the core frequency signal. The operating frequency of the conversion frequency signal is the same as the core frequency of the core frequency signal.

[0025] The frequency selection device is electrically connected to the conversion frequency generator and the default frequency generator, and receives a system ready signal, a default frequency signal from the default frequency generator, and a conversion frequency signal from the conversion frequency generator. Based on the system ready signal, it selects one of the default frequency signal and the conversion frequency signal as an output frequency signal, and generates the phase shift frequency signal based on the output frequency signal. When the system ready signal indicates the operating state, the frequency selection device selects the conversion frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase shift frequency signal with the same operating frequency as the core frequency but corresponding to different phases.

[0026] Preferably, when the system ready signal indicates the non-operating state, the frequency selection device generates the phase shift frequency signal according to the default frequency signal, and the operating frequency of each phase shift frequency signal is the same as the default frequency signal.

[0027] Preferably, when the system readiness signal indicates the non-operating state, the local power supply device generates the peripheral conversion power and provides it to the peripheral circuit according to the phase shift frequency signal derived from the default frequency signal.

[0028] The advantage of this invention is that by using the peripheral conversion power corresponding to the peripheral circuit to generate the phase shift frequency signal of the same frequency, the source of electromagnetic interference frequency is reduced, thereby reducing the complexity of software calculation and improving the accuracy of ultrasound imaging. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented with reference to the embodiments in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 It is a block diagram illustrating an existing motherboard power supply architecture;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a block diagram illustrating another existing motherboard power supply architecture;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of one embodiment of a motherboard for medical ultrasound applications of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of a single-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller in this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 It is a timing diagram illustrating the phase relationship between multiple phase shift frequency signals and a core frequency signal. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar components are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0036] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 One embodiment of the motherboard for medical ultrasound applications of the present invention includes a DC power supply circuit 1, a plurality of peripheral circuits 2, and a core circuit 3.

[0037] The DC power supply circuit 1 is electrically connected to the core circuit 3 and the peripheral circuit 2 and provides a core conversion power to the core circuit 3, and provides multiple peripheral conversion power to the peripheral circuit 2 respectively. It includes a main power supply device 11, multiple local power supply devices 12, a processor power supply device 13, and a frequency controller 14 with the same frequency and phase.

[0038] The main power supply unit 11 is used to provide multiple DC power supplies.

[0039] The processor power supply device 13 is electrically connected to the main power supply device 11 to receive one of the DC powers and to generate a core frequency signal, and to generate the core conversion power based on one of the DC powers and the core frequency signal. The core frequency signal has a core frequency.

[0040] It should be noted that whether the voltage of the core power conversion device 13 rises to a core operating voltage value is related to a system ready signal (i.e., Global Reset). This system ready signal originates from the logic circuitry of the motherboard 100 (not shown) and is used to determine whether the motherboard 100 is currently in an active or inactive state based on the motherboard 100's power-on process and the core power conversion voltage. When the system ready signal indicates the inactive state, it means that the core power conversion voltage has not risen to the core operating voltage value and the motherboard 100's power-on process is not yet ready, such as the S3 state (the motherboard 100 is in standby or sleep state) or the S5 state (some components of the motherboard 100 are still powered and can still be woken up by devices such as keyboards, modems, LAN, and USB) as specified by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). When the system is ready, it indicates that the voltage of the core power conversion has risen to the core operating voltage value, and the power-on process of the motherboard 100 is ready, such as the S0 state of the global state specified by the advanced configuration power interface (the normal operating state of the motherboard 100).

[0041] It should also be noted that the system's ready signal can be represented by a logic value "1" and a logic value "0" to indicate the working state and the non-working state respectively, but this is not a limitation.

[0042] The same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller 14 is electrically connected to the processor power supply device 13 to receive the core frequency signal and the system ready signal, and has a default frequency generator 141, a switching frequency generator 142, and a frequency selection device 143.

[0043] The default frequency generator 141 is used to generate a default frequency signal.

[0044] The conversion frequency generator 142 is electrically connected to the processor power supply device 13 to receive the core frequency signal and generate a conversion frequency signal based on the core frequency signal. The operating frequency of the conversion frequency signal is the same as the core frequency of the core frequency signal, and the duty cycle of the conversion frequency signal is a fixed value (50% in this embodiment).

[0045] The frequency selection device 143 is electrically connected to the default frequency generator 141 and the conversion frequency generator 142. It receives a system ready signal, a default frequency signal from the default frequency generator 141, and a conversion frequency signal from the conversion frequency generator 142. Based on the system ready signal, it selects one of the default frequency signal and the conversion frequency signal as an output frequency signal, and generates multiple phase-shift frequency signals based on the output frequency signal. When the system ready signal indicates the operating state, the frequency selection device 143 selects the conversion frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase-shift frequency signals, each corresponding to a different phase. When the system ready signal indicates the non-operating state, the frequency selection device 143 selects the default frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase-shift frequency signals.

[0046] In some embodiments, the phase shift frequency signals of different phases can be generated using a reference frequency as a reference. For example, when the system readiness signal indicates the operating state, the frequency selection device 143 delays the conversion frequency signal derived from the core frequency signal by several cycles of the reference frequency to generate the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 60 degrees (i.e., generating the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 60 degrees using the phase of the core frequency signal as a reference). Similarly, the frequency selection device 143 delays the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 60 degrees by the same number of cycles of the reference frequency to generate the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 120 degrees, and in the same manner delays the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 120 degrees by the same number of cycles of the reference frequency to generate the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 180 degrees, and in the same manner generates the phase shift frequency signal with a phase of 240 degrees. Figure 5 The phase relationship between the phase shift frequency signal and the core frequency signal is described exemplarily. The above is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0047] It should be noted that the frequency selection device 143 can be implemented by means of a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0048] The local power supply device 12 is electrically connected to the main power supply device 11 and the same-frequency out-of-phase frequency controller 14, and each local power supply device 12 generates the peripheral conversion power according to the corresponding DC power and the phase shift frequency signal, and provides it to the corresponding peripheral circuit 2.

[0049] It should be noted that during the power-on process of the motherboard 100, the system ready signal indicates the non-working state. The local power supply device 12 generates the peripheral conversion power to start the peripheral circuit 2 according to the working frequency and the phase shift frequency signal with the same phase as the default frequency signal, and waits for the core circuit 3 to start.

[0050] It should also be noted that the peripheral circuit 2 is electrically connected to the local power supply device 12 to receive the peripheral converted power. The peripheral circuit 2 may be one of the following: memory, display adapter (Display Card), hard disk, solid-state drive (SSD), or network interface controller (NIC), or a combination of the above components, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] The core circuit 3 is electrically connected to the processor power supply device 13 to receive the power converted by the core. The core circuit 3 serves as the computing core of the motherboard 100 and can be implemented by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU can be implemented by, but is not limited to, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, a dual-core mobile processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), etc.

[0052] When the core conversion power rises to the core operating voltage value, the core circuit 3 is activated. The system readiness signal indicates the operating state, wherein the operating frequency of the phase shift frequency signal corresponding to the local power supply device 12 electrically connected to the same frequency controller 14 is the same as the conversion frequency signal. At this time, the motherboard 100 completes the power-on operation. When the motherboard 100 is used for medical ultrasound, the core circuit 3 only needs to filter the core frequency signal and its harmonics. For example, the core frequency signal used in this embodiment is 602kHz, so only 602kHz and its two times (1204kHz), three times (1806kHz), and four times (2408kHz) frequencies need to be filtered out, effectively reducing the number of frequencies that need to be filtered out and thus increasing the accuracy of the ultrasound image.

[0053] In summary, the peripheral conversion power corresponding to the peripheral circuit 2 is generated by the phase shift frequency signals of the same frequency but different phases, which reduces the source of electromagnetic interference frequency and decreases the complexity of software calculation, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasound imaging. In addition, the phase shift frequency signals of different phases avoid drawing DC power at the same time point, thus avoiding the problem of excessive instantaneous load and excessive radiation energy of the total power supply device 11.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A motherboard for medical ultrasound applications, characterized in that, Include: One core circuit; Multiple peripheral circuits; and A DC power supply circuit, electrically connecting the core circuit and the peripheral circuit, is used to supply power to the core circuit and the peripheral circuit, and includes: A main power supply unit for providing multiple DC power sources; A processor power supply device is used to generate a core frequency signal and to generate a core conversion power supply to the core circuit based on one of the DC power sources and the core frequency signal, the core frequency signal having a core frequency. A frequency controller with a common frequency and a different phase is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and a system ready signal, and generates multiple phase shift frequency signals based on the core frequency signal and the system ready signal. The system ready signal is used to indicate one of a non-working state and a working state. When the system ready signal indicates the working state, the working frequency of the phase shift frequency signals is the same as the core frequency and corresponds to different phases. Multiple local power supply devices are electrically connected to the same-frequency but different-phase frequency controller and the main power supply device. Each local power supply device generates a peripheral conversion power according to the corresponding DC power and the corresponding phase shift frequency signal and provides it to the corresponding peripheral circuit.

2. The motherboard for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 1, characterized in that, The same-frequency but out-of-phase frequency controller includes: A default frequency generator is used to generate a default frequency signal. A conversion frequency generator is electrically connected to the processor's power supply to receive the core frequency signal and generates a conversion frequency signal based on the core frequency signal, the operating frequency of which is the same as the core frequency of the core frequency signal; and A frequency selection device is electrically connected to the conversion frequency generator and the default frequency generator, and receives a system ready signal, a default frequency signal from the default frequency generator, and a conversion frequency signal from the conversion frequency generator. Based on the system ready signal, it selects one of the default frequency signal and the conversion frequency signal as an output frequency signal, and generates the phase shift frequency signal based on the output frequency signal. When the system is ready, the frequency selection device selects the switching frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase shift frequency signal, which has the same operating frequency as the core frequency and corresponds to different phases.

3. The motherboard for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the system is ready, indicating the non-working state, the frequency selection device generates the phase shift frequency signal according to the default frequency signal, and the operating frequency of each phase shift frequency signal is the same as the default frequency signal.

4. The motherboard for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the system readiness signal indicates the non-operating state, the local power supply device generates the peripheral conversion power and provides it to the peripheral circuit according to the phase shift frequency signal derived from the default frequency signal.

5. A DC power supply circuit for medical ultrasound applications, electrically connecting a core circuit and multiple peripheral circuits, characterized in that, And includes: A main power supply unit for providing multiple DC power sources; A processor power supply device is used to generate a core frequency signal and to generate a core conversion power supply to the core circuit based on one of the DC power sources and the core frequency signal, the core frequency signal having a core frequency. A frequency controller with a common frequency and a different phase is electrically connected to the processor power supply to receive the core frequency signal and a system ready signal, and generates multiple phase shift frequency signals based on the core frequency signal and the system ready signal. The system ready signal is used to indicate one of a non-working state and a working state. When the system ready signal indicates the working state, the working frequency of the phase shift frequency signals is the same as the core frequency and corresponds to different phases. Multiple local power supply devices are electrically connected to the same-frequency but different-phase frequency controller and the main power supply device. Each local power supply device generates a peripheral conversion power according to the corresponding DC power and the corresponding phase shift frequency signal and provides it to the corresponding peripheral circuit.

6. The DC power supply circuit for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 5, characterized in that, The same-frequency but out-of-phase frequency controller includes: A default frequency generator is used to generate a default frequency signal. A conversion frequency generator is electrically connected to the processor's power supply to receive the core frequency signal and generates a conversion frequency signal based on the core frequency signal, the operating frequency of which is the same as the core frequency of the core frequency signal; and A frequency selection device is electrically connected to the switching frequency generator and the default frequency generator, and receives a system ready signal, a default frequency signal from the default frequency generator, and a switching frequency signal from the switching frequency generator. Based on the system ready signal, it selects one of the default frequency signal and the switching frequency signal as an output frequency signal, and generates the phase shift frequency signal based on the output frequency signal. When the system is ready, the frequency selection device selects the switching frequency signal as the output frequency signal to generate the phase shift frequency signal, which has the same operating frequency as the core frequency and corresponds to different phases.

7. The DC power supply circuit for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the system is ready, indicating the non-working state, the frequency selection device generates the phase shift frequency signal according to the default frequency signal, and the operating frequency of each phase shift frequency signal is the same as the default frequency signal.

8. The DC power supply circuit for medical ultrasound applications according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the system readiness signal indicates the non-operating state, the local power supply device generates the peripheral conversion power and provides it to the peripheral circuit according to the phase shift frequency signal derived from the default frequency signal.

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