Analog Beamformer Phase Shifting Network Without Inductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging systems face challenges in implementing efficient beamforming due to the high power and space requirements of digital beamforming circuits, particularly in low-power devices, and the cost and density limitations of analog LRC delay lines.
Innovation Solution
An analog beamformer using a phase shifting network with gradient delays, implemented within an integrated circuit, that aligns and sums analog RF signals without inductive elements, reducing the need for ADCs and enabling compact, low-power operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital beamforming is used, then beamforming precision is improved, but power consumption and device area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital beamforming circuits with analog beamforming circuits that perform delay-and-sum operations directly in the analog domain. This substitution eliminates the need for ADCs and digital processing circuits, significantly reducing power consumption and device area while maintaining beamforming functionality through analog phase shifters and delay lines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the ADCs and digital processing circuits from the beamforming system, keeping only the essential delay-and-sum functionality implemented in analog form. This extraction eliminates the high power consumption and large area requirements of digital components while preserving the core beamforming operation
2Ease of manufacture
If LRC delay lines are used for analog delays, then analog beamforming is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and ASIC density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the implementation parameters of analog delay circuits by replacing LRC (inductor-resistor-capacitor) delay lines with RC (resistor-capacitor) delay lines. This parameter change eliminates the need for inductors, which are difficult to integrate in ASICs, thereby improving manufacturability and increasing ASIC density while maintaining analog beamforming functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes inductive elements (L) with resistive-capacitive elements (RC) in the delay line circuits. This substitution replaces difficult-to-manufacture inductors with standard RC components that are easily integrated in ASIC processes, improving both manufacturing ease and device density
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 solution allows for efficient beamforming in ultrasound imaging systems, reducing power consumption and cost while maintaining image quality, suitable for both hand-held and high-density applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each phase shifting network of the set of phase shifting networks adds a delay to the corresponding analog RF signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (402) includes an analog beamformer (414) that receives a set of analog RF signals. The set of analog RF signals are generated by a corresponding set of transducer elements (406) receiving ultrasound echo signals. The analog beamformer includes a delay network (416) with a set of phase shifting networks (506). Each phase shifting network of the set of phase shifting networks processes a different one of the analog RF signals of the set of analog RF signals. Each phase shifting network of the set of phase shifting networks adds a delay to the corresponding analog RF signal, producing a set of delayed analog RF signals that are aligned in time. The set of phase shifting networks does not use an inductive element to determine or add the delays. The analog beamformer further includes a summer (504) that sums the delayed analog RF signals, producing an analog beam sum.