A multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method and system based on FPGA

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of ultrasonic array driving and control technology, and discloses a multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system based on FPGA. The system includes a host computer parameter configuration module, a communication interface module, a parameter receiving and parsing module, a parameter latching and synchronization update module, a multi-channel delay phase control module, a Burst excitation output module, and a transducer drive output interface module. The host computer generates delay parameters, channel enable parameters, and excitation parameters for each channel and sends them to the FPGA. The FPGA receives and parses the parameters and writes them into a buffer register group. At a preset update time, these parameters are uniformly loaded into the working register group, ensuring that the parameters of each channel take effect synchronously. Each channel outputs an excitation signal according to the corresponding delay parameters under a unified clock reference, and the Burst control forms a multi-channel pulse train output to drive the array ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined phase relationship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of ultrasonic array driving and control technology, specifically relating to a multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system based on FPGA, and more particularly to an array ultrasonic transmission control system that realizes multi-channel delay equivalent phase control through parameter latching and synchronization update mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Array ultrasound technology coordinates and controls the excitation signals of multiple transducer elements, causing the ultrasonic waves emitted by each element to superimpose in space, thereby achieving sound beam focusing, deflection, and sound field modulation. This type of technology has wide applications in fields such as ultrasonic detection, ultrasonic therapy, precision actuation, acoustic manipulation, and energy focusing.

[0003] In array ultrasound systems, precise adjustment of the excitation timing of each channel is typically required to achieve beam control in a predetermined direction or focal position. For ultrasound excitation systems operating at a fixed frequency, the time delay between different channels can be equivalently converted into a phase difference; therefore, multi-channel delay control is an important means of achieving phase modulation in array ultrasound. As the number of array channels increases, the system places higher demands on multi-channel synchronization, parameter update consistency, and real-time control capabilities.

[0004] In existing array ultrasound control schemes, some systems use microcontrollers or general logic circuits to implement multi-channel control. While this can meet basic application requirements when the number of channels is small, it often has the following shortcomings in high-precision synchronous control scenarios: First, the parameters of each channel take effect in batches or are updated channel by channel after reception, which can easily lead to transient inconsistencies when different channels switch parameters, thus affecting the array phase relationship. Second, the delay control accuracy of the channel excitation signal is limited, making it difficult to guarantee focusing effect in scenarios requiring fine control of the phase relationship. Third, the system lacks the ability to uniformly schedule parameters such as carrier cycle number, pulse duration, and repetition period, which is not conducive to forming a stable and consistent multi-channel Burst excitation output. Fourth, existing schemes have poor flexibility in multi-channel parallel expansion, making it difficult to adapt to the synchronous control and real-time parameter tuning requirements of array ultrasound systems.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system based on FPGA to realize the unified reception, latching, synchronous updating and parallel output of multi-channel control parameters, thereby improving the phase consistency, control accuracy and system real-time performance during array ultrasonic transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Purpose of the invention: This invention provides a multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system based on FPGA to solve the problems of asynchronous parameter updates, poor phase consistency, insufficient coordination of excitation output, and limited real-time control capability in the existing multi-channel array ultrasonic control process.

[0007] A further objective of this invention is to provide a control structure employing a parameter latching and unified update mechanism, enabling multi-channel delay parameters and excitation parameters to take effect simultaneously, thereby reducing timing deviations during multi-channel parameter switching and improving the phase synchronization control effect of the array ultrasound system.

[0008] Technical solution: To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: S1. An FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system, including a host computer parameter configuration module, a communication interface module, a parameter receiving and parsing module, a parameter latching and synchronization update module, a multi-channel delayed phase control module, a Burst excitation output module, and a transducer drive output interface module. S2. The host computer parameter configuration module is used to generate control parameters for each channel according to the control requirements of the array ultrasound system, and send the control parameters to the communication interface module. S3. The communication interface module is used to receive control data sent from the outside and transmit it to the parameter receiving and parsing module. S4. The parameter receiving and parsing module is used to identify, verify and parse the received control data to obtain the delay parameters, enable parameters and excitation parameters of each channel. S5. The parameter latching and synchronous update module is used to temporarily store the parsed control parameters in the cache register, and when the preset update conditions are met, synchronously load the control parameters in the cache register into the working register so that the new parameters of each channel take effect at the same time. S6. The multi-channel delay phase control module is used to generate corresponding delay control signals according to the delay parameters of each channel, so that a predetermined time difference is formed between the outputs of the multiple channels, thereby realizing equivalent phase control in the array ultrasonic transmission process. S7. The Burst excitation output module is used to generate a multi-channel pulse train output signal with a set number of carrier cycles, pulse duration and repetition period according to the excitation parameters. S8. The transducer drive output interface module is used to send the multi-channel pulse train output signal to the corresponding ultrasonic transducer drive stage to drive the array ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic signals.

[0009] Beneficial effects 1) This invention uses FPGA as the core control platform, which can make full use of its parallel processing capabilities to realize real-time parallel control of multi-channel array ultrasonic signals, thereby improving the overall response speed and stability of the system.

[0010] 2) By setting up a parameter latching and synchronous update module, the present invention enables the parameters of each channel to take effect at the same time, avoiding the problem of transient timing inconsistency caused by updating channel by channel or taking effect in batches in the prior art, which is conducive to maintaining the stability of the phase relationship of multiple channels.

[0011] 3) This invention manages the number of multi-channel carrier cycles, transmission duration and repetition period in a unified manner through the Burst excitation output module, which can form a multi-channel excitation waveform with consistent structure and controllable timing, making it easier for the array ultrasound system to work stably.

[0012] 4) This invention supports two working modes: online parameter configuration on the host computer and local parameter calling. It can not only meet the needs of experimental debugging and dynamic parameter modification, but also facilitate subsequent system solidification deployment and engineering application. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the overall structure of the FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the internal functional modules of the FPGA in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the parameter latching and synchronization update module in this invention; Figure 4 This is a timing diagram of the multi-channel delay phase control and Burst excitation output in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. After reading this invention, any modifications of the invention in various equivalent forms by those skilled in the art will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0015] In the description of this invention, the term "phase control" includes direct phase adjustment and equivalent phase adjustment achieved through time delay. Under the condition of fixed operating frequency of array ultrasound, there is a corresponding relationship between the time delay and phase difference between the excitation signals of each channel. Therefore, this invention preferably adopts a time delay control method to achieve phase synchronization control of multi-channel array ultrasound.

[0016] S101. The host computer generates control parameters according to the array ultrasonic transmission requirements. The control parameters include channel delay parameters, channel enable parameters, Burst length parameters, transmission period parameters, and synchronous update control parameters, and sends them to the FPGA control system via serial port.

[0017] S102, the communication interface module in the FPGA receives data sent by the host computer, and the parameter receiving and parsing module performs frame header recognition, field splitting and data verification on the received data according to the preset communication protocol to obtain the delay value, enable status and excitation parameters corresponding to each channel.

[0018] S103. The parameter receiving and parsing module writes the parsed parameters into the buffer register group. The buffer register group is used to temporarily store the new received parameters. During the writing process, the currently executing working register group remains unchanged to avoid affecting the output channel during parameter receiving.

[0019] S104. When the system detects that a set of parameters has been received, the parameter latching and synchronization update module loads the parameters in the cache register group into the working register group at the preset update time, so that the new parameters of each channel take effect at the same time, thereby ensuring the synchronization of multi-channel parameter updates.

[0020] S105, the multi-channel delay phase control module reads the delay parameters of each channel in the working register group under a unified system clock reference, and applies different delays to each channel through independent counting, so that a predetermined time difference is formed between the output signals of each channel, so as to realize the equivalent phase control in the array ultrasonic transmission process.

[0021] S106, the Burst excitation output module generates a multi-channel pulse train output signal based on the delay control signal of each channel and the preset Burst parameter. Each channel starts to output a carrier pulse after the corresponding delay is reached, and stops outputting after the number of output cycles reaches the set value, waiting for the next transmission cycle to arrive.

[0022] S107 The channel enable control module controls the output state of the corresponding channel according to the enable parameters of each channel. When a channel is in the enabled state, it outputs a delayed Burst signal normally. When a channel is in the off state, it stops the output of that channel, so as to achieve selective control of the array ultrasonic transmission channel.

[0023] S108, the transducer drive output interface module sends the multi-channel Burst pulse signal output by the FPGA to the subsequent drive circuit. The subsequent drive circuit applies a drive signal to the corresponding array ultrasonic transducer, so that each array element emits ultrasonic waves according to the preset delay relationship, thereby forming the required array ultrasonic phase synchronous emission effect.

[0024] S109. In a preferred embodiment, the system is an eight-channel control system, each channel corresponding to an independent delay control unit and a Burst output unit. Each channel shares a unified clock reference and a synchronization update mechanism to achieve synchronous control of the eight array elements.

[0025] S110. In another embodiment, the system can also be set to a preset parameter mode. One or more sets of control parameters are pre-stored inside the FPGA. When a mode switching instruction is received, the system directly calls the preset parameters and loads them into the working register group through the parameter latching and synchronization update module to achieve independent transmission control independent of the host computer.

Claims

1. A multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method based on FPGA, characterized in that, include: S1. The host computer generates control parameters according to the array ultrasonic transmission requirements and sends the control parameters to the FPGA. The control parameters include at least the delay parameters of each channel, the channel enable parameters, the Burst length parameters, and the transmission period parameters. S2. The FPGA receives the control parameters through the communication interface, and the parameter receiving and parsing module identifies, verifies and parses the control parameters according to the preset communication protocol to obtain the delay value, enable state and excitation parameters corresponding to each channel. S3. Write the parsed control parameters into the buffer register group to temporarily store the new received parameters; S4. At the preset synchronous update time, the control parameters in the cache register group are loaded into the working register group as a whole, so that the new parameters of each channel take effect at the same time. S5. The multi-channel delay phase control module reads the delay parameters of each channel in the working register group under a unified system clock reference, and applies different delays to each channel through independent counting, so that a predetermined time difference is formed between the output signals of each channel, so as to realize the equivalent phase control in the array ultrasonic transmission process. S6. The Burst excitation output module generates a multi-channel pulse train output signal based on the delay control signal of each channel and the excitation parameters, and sends it to the subsequent driving circuit through the transducer drive output interface module to drive the array ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves according to a predetermined phase relationship.

2. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2: The communication interface is a serial communication interface; The parameter receiving and parsing module receives the parameter frames sent by the host computer byte by byte, and parses the channel delay field, channel enable field, Burst parameter field and control flag field in the parameter frames.

3. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In steps S3 and S4: The buffer register group is used to temporarily store newly received control parameters, and the working register group is used to store currently effective parameters; The working register group remains unchanged until the synchronization update trigger signal arrives; When the synchronization update trigger signal arrives, the parameters in the cache register group are copied to the working register group.

4. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S4: The preset synchronization update time is any one of the following: the end time of the current launch cycle, the arrival time of the external update command, or the arrival time of the predetermined global clock count value.

5. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S5: The multi-channel delay phase control module performs counting control based on a unified system clock; Each channel is equipped with an independent delay counting unit, which starts counting after the unified transmission start signal arrives. When the count value reaches the corresponding channel's delay setting value, the transmission enable signal for that channel is output.

6. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S6: The Burst excitation output module includes a carrier generation unit, a period counting unit, and a pulse gating unit. Each channel starts outputting carrier pulses after the corresponding delay is reached, and stops outputting after the number of output cycles reaches the set Burst length parameter, waiting for the next transmission cycle to arrive.

7. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The channel enable parameter is used to control the output state of the corresponding channel. When a channel is enabled, it outputs a delayed Burst signal normally. When a channel is disabled, it stops outputting that channel.

8. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control method includes a real-time parameter configuration mode and a preset parameter mode: In real-time parameter configuration mode, the host computer sends control parameters online through the communication interface; In preset parameter mode, parameters pre-stored inside the FPGA are directly loaded into the working register group to perform array ultrasonic transmission control.

9. A multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system based on FPGA, used to implement the method described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, include: The host computer parameter configuration module is configured to generate delay parameters, channel enable parameters, Burst length parameters, and transmission period parameters for each channel. The communication interface module receives control data sent by the host computer. The parameter receiving and parsing module identifies, verifies, and parses the received control data; The parameter latching and synchronous update module writes the parsed parameters into a cache register group and synchronously loads the parameters in the cache register group into the working register group at a preset synchronous update time. The multi-channel delay phase control module generates corresponding delay control signals based on the delay parameters of each channel under a unified system clock reference. The Burst excitation output module generates a multi-channel pulse train output signal based on the delay control signal and excitation parameters. The transducer drive output interface module outputs the multi-channel pulse train output signal to the subsequent drive circuit to drive the array ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves.

10. The FPGA-based multi-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The system is an eight-channel array ultrasonic phase synchronization control system. Each channel corresponds to an independent delay control unit and a Burst output unit. All channels share a unified system clock and synchronization update mechanism.

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