Charge-Redistribution Ultrasonic Transducer Interface for Power Scalable Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable ultrasonic imaging systems face challenges in reducing transmitter power consumption while maintaining acoustic pressure, especially in high-frequency and long-distance scans, due to the need for high acoustic power and efficient beamforming in varying media, which can lead to aberrations and image quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ultrasonic transducer interface system with on-chip adaptive beamforming and Charge-Redistribution TX (CR-TX) circuits, which reduces TX drive power by at least 30% by using CMOS ASIC technology, adaptive beamforming, and aberration compensation to optimize power usage and image quality across different mediums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high acoustic power is used for long distance scans and high frequency imaging, then image quality and scanning capability are improved, but transmitter power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs charge-redistribution ultrasonic driving with variable pulse widths to dynamically adjust acoustic power output. By changing the duration of voltage pulses applied to transducer elements, the system can optimize acoustic power for different imaging depths and frequencies, achieving high image quality at long distances while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during shorter or lower-power scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements adaptive beamforming with dynamic adjustment of beam shape, direction, and focus in real-time based on imaging conditions. This allows the ultrasonic energy to be concentrated precisely where needed, improving image quality at target depths while reducing overall power consumption by avoiding diffuse energy distribution throughout the imaging volume.
2Power
If large capacitance pMUTs are used to generate high acoustic power, then imaging capability is improved, but chip area and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ultrasonic transducer array into multiple independently controllable elements or sub-arrays. By segmenting the overall array, each individual element can have smaller capacitance requirements, yet the collective array achieves high acoustic power through coordinated activation of multiple segments. This segmentation also enables independent optimization of each element's size and positioning, reducing total chip area while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple low-capacitance transducer elements to achieve the acoustic power output that would otherwise require a single large-capacitance element. By merging the output of multiple smaller elements through constructive interference and beamforming, the system achieves equivalent or superior acoustic power with reduced individual element sizes and lower total chip area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive beamforming is implemented for different media, then imaging versatility is improved, but susceptibility to aberration and image quality deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the received ultrasonic signals and adjusts beamforming parameters accordingly. By analyzing the actual signal characteristics and comparing them with expected patterns, the system can detect aberrations caused by varying media and dynamically adjust transmission and reception parameters to compensate, thereby maintaining image quality stability across different imaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration and characterization of the imaging medium before actual imaging. By pre-measuring acoustic properties such as sound speed and attenuation in different tissues or materials, the system can pre-compute optimal beamforming parameters and aberration correction factors, enabling it to adapt to different media while maintaining reliable image quality without requiring complex real-time adjustments during imaging.
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 achieves a significant reduction in TX power consumption while maintaining or improving acoustic pressure and image quality, enabling efficient high-frequency and deep tissue scans with reduced power dissipation and aberration correction, thus enhancing the performance of portable ultrasound imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (pMUTs)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a method for driving an ultrasonic transducer. The method includes coupling a driving electrode and a ground electrode of the ultrasonic transducer to a power supply and a ground, respectively, during a first time period based on a received drive signal. The method further includes decoupling the driving electrode and the ground electrode of the ultrasonic transducer from the power supply and the ground, respectively, to float the driving electrode and the ground electrode of the ultrasonic transducer during a second time period based on the received drive signal to store a charge between the driving electrode to the ground electrode.