Digitizing ASIC for Ultrasound Scanning with Dynamic Parameter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound systems face challenges with high power dissipation and data transfer costs, particularly in matrix array transducers, which are inefficient for battery-powered point-of-care applications and generate excessive data, necessitating a solution for reduced power consumption and data reduction.
Innovation Solution
A digitizing ASIC with an array of analogue-to-digital converters, a memory module, and a controller that dynamically adjusts operation parameters during insonification cycles to adapt to real-time demands, enabling data-on-demand processing and compression, thereby reducing power dissipation and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If matrix array transducers are used to enable 2D imaging at arbitrary solid angles, then imaging capability and data acquisition are improved, but power dissipation increases to 10 W or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of ADC operation parameters including sampling rate, resolution, and number of active ADCs based on real-time imaging requirements. The controller adjusts these parameters during insonification cycles to match actual data acquisition needs, reducing power consumption while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as ADC sampling frequency, bit resolution, and active channel configuration dynamically. By adjusting these parameters according to imaging mode and data requirements, the system optimizes the balance between imaging performance and power dissipation.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution and high frame rate matrix scanning is performed, then imaging quality is improved, but power dissipation and data transfer requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial digitization by selectively activating only the necessary number of ADCs and adjusting sampling rates based on imaging requirements. Instead of continuously operating all ADCs at maximum capacity, the system uses just enough digitization resources needed for current imaging tasks, reducing power consumption while maintaining quality.
3Loss of information
If all digitized ultrasound data from matrix arrays is transferred to the interface unit, then data completeness is improved, but data transfer bandwidth and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transfers only the most relevant digitized data to the interface unit based on controller-determined criteria. By filtering and selecting essential data elements while discarding redundant information, the system reduces data transfer volume and associated power consumption while preserving data completeness for imaging purposes.
4Loss of energy
If analogue micro-beamforming is performed in the analogue ASIC, then data reduction is achieved, but flexibility to adapt to new processing schemes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed analogue signal processing with flexible digital signal processing in the digitizing ASIC. By performing beamforming and data reduction operations in the digital domain rather than through fixed analogue circuitry, the system achieves both data reduction and adaptability to different processing schemes through software-controlled algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a digitizing ASIC (3) for an ultrasound scanning unit (2) of an ultrasound system (1), comprising: an array of analogue-to-digital converters (31) adapted to receive ultrasound signals acquired with an ultrasound transducer array and to convert the ultrasound signals into digitized ultrasound data; a memory module (32) operably coupled to the array of analogue-to-digital converters (31) and adapted to store the digitized ultrasound data; a transmitter operably coupled to the memory module (32) and adapted to transfer the digitized ultrasound data stored in the memory module (32) to a remote interface unit (6); and a controller (33) adapted to receive control signals from the interface unit (6), and, responsive to the control signals, configure the operation of components of the ASIC (3) and/or the ultrasound scanning unit (2) by setting operation parameters, wherein the controller (33) is adapted to change operation parameters of the ASIC (3) and/or the ultrasound scanning unit (2) during an insonification cycle and/or from one insonification cycle to the next.