Acoustic Imaging Pulse Interleaving for Higher Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic and electromagnetic imaging systems face challenges in achieving high resolution without requiring large and expensive equipment, as the trade-off between resolution, system size, and cost limits the effectiveness of current methods.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting multiple sound wave pulses with controlled delays and interleaving their reflections to generate an expanded sample set, effectively doubling the bandwidth and resolution without increasing receiver costs, by using undersampling techniques and phase manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If higher frequency signals are used to improve resolution, then measurement precision improves, but loss of energy increases due to higher propagation losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits multiple pulses at the same frequency rather than using a single high-frequency pulse. By sending repeated pulses at a lower frequency that the medium can handle, the system accumulates useful signal energy while avoiding the excessive propagation losses associated with higher frequencies. The periodic transmission allows the receiver to integrate multiple returns, effectively improving resolution without the energy penalty of high-frequency operation.
2Measurement precision
If higher A/D sample rates are used to improve range resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to more expensive components and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits multiple pulses beyond what would be minimally required for a single measurement. By sending N pulses and combining their returns, the system effectively synthesizes a higher sample rate equivalent to N times the actual A/D converter rate. This partial action approach allows the use of lower-cost, lower-sample-rate electronics while achieving the resolution equivalent of much more expensive high-sample-rate systems through cumulative signal processing.
3Measurement precision
If higher frequencies are used to achieve better angular resolution, then measurement precision improves, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic transmission of multiple pulses at a frequency optimized for energy efficiency rather than angular resolution. By transmitting N pulses and combining the angular information from each return, the system synthesizes the angular resolution equivalent of higher frequencies while maintaining operation at a lower, more energy-efficient frequency. This allows the system to achieve fine angular resolution without paying the energy penalty of high-frequency operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances both range and angular resolution while reducing the need for high-frequency and large equipment, achieving improved imaging capabilities at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, from a transmitter, a first wave pulse having a pulse length, at a first frequency
Implementation Method 2
receiving and sampling, at a receiver, a reflection of at least two of: (i) the first and (ii) the at least one second wave pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A method for use in acoustic imaging, comprising: transmitting, from a transmitter, a first sound wave pulse at a first frequency determined by a maximum sampling rate of a receiver; transmitting at least one second sound wave pulse at a frequency substantially equal to the first frequency, the first and at least one second sound wave pulses being transmitted substantially within a fraction of a sample interval of the receiver; receiving and sampling, at the receiver, a reflection of at least two of the first and at least one second pulses to generate a set of receiver samples; and expanding the set of receiver samples, based on the first frequency and a total number of the first and at least one second pulses transmitted, to generate an expanded sample set with a larger number of samples than the set of receiver samples.