Medical Imaging Control Unit with FPGA Direct Command Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control systems for medical imaging systems, such as X-ray systems, experience delays and latencies due to the processing of command signals by the operating system and drivers, which prevents real-time guarantee in certain cases, particularly affecting the closed-loop and open-loop control of components like X-ray tubes.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a programmable logic gate and a microprocessor connected via a first interface, where the microprocessor provides a second interface via a signal line to an external contact array, allowing direct control of the programmable logic gate with command signals, and incorporating a receive unit within the programmable logic gate to read out command signals, thereby reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microprocessor processes command signals through the operating system and drivers, then the control system can provide comprehensive control functionality, but processing delays and latencies occur that prevent real-time guarantee
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into two independent processing paths: a high-priority direct path where the programmable logic gate receives and processes command signals directly from the contact array without microprocessor involvement, and a secondary path where the microprocessor handles less time-critical tasks. This segmentation allows real-time critical operations to bypass the microprocessor's operating system and driver layers, eliminating processing delays while maintaining comprehensive control functionality through the combined operation of both paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable logic gate acts as an intermediary component that directly interfaces between the contact array and the controlled components. Instead of all command signals passing through the microprocessor, the programmable logic gate intercepts and processes time-critical commands directly, serving as a mediator that ensures real-time response while the microprocessor continues to provide higher-level control functions.
2Ease of operation
If the microprocessor controls the programmable logic gate via command signals, then the system maintains centralized control, but the processing latency increases due to microprocessor intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into centralized and decentralized paths. The microprocessor maintains centralized control for configuration, monitoring, and non-critical operations, while the programmable logic gate handles time-critical control operations independently. This segmentation allows the system to preserve centralized control advantages for management tasks while achieving low-latency response for critical operations through the decentralized direct path from contact array to programmable logic gate.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit is for a medical imaging system. The control unit includes a programmable logic gate, designed for at least one of closed-loop control and open-loop control of at least one component of the medical imaging system; a microprocessor, connected to the programmable logic gate via a first interface; and a signal line to connect the microprocessor to a contact array, arranged externally on the control unit. The microprocessor is designed to provide a second interface via the signal line and to control the programmable logic gate in accordance with a command signal received via the second interface. Further, the signal line is provided at least in part by the programmable logic gate and the programmable logic gate includes a receive unit for reading out the command signal.