I/Q Demodulation Apparatus with Phase Scanning for Portable Ultrasound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phase demodulators for imaging and tracking systems, such as radars and ultrasounds, face challenges in achieving portable, low-power, and compact designs due to signal decay issues caused by long cables, which are costly and hinder optimal system performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) demodulation apparatus with phase scanning using a compact circuit design, incorporating a ring oscillator, latch units, decoding units, counter units, and arithmetical units to generate and process phase signals, resulting in digitalization of circuits with reduced area, power consumption, and adjustable resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a beamforming multi-channel receiver system structure with long cables is used, then signal transmission capability is improved, but signal decay increases and system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignal decay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based signal transmission system with a digital signal processing system. By converting analog signals to digital signals and performing beamforming operations in the digital domain, the system eliminates the need for long physical cables, thereby preventing signal decay while maintaining transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between the transducer and the final output. The digital processor acts as a mediator that receives digital signals from the transducer, performs phase demodulation and beamforming operations, and generates the final output, thereby eliminating the need for long analog cable connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a beamforming multi-channel receiver system structure is used, then imaging and tracking functions are improved, but system portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging and tracking functionsVSAvoidsystem portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heavy mechanical cable infrastructure with a compact digital processing system. By performing all signal processing operations digitally, the system eliminates the need for heavy cables and large power supplies, enabling portable handheld devices while maintaining full imaging and tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the signal processing functions into discrete digital processing stages: phase demodulation, beamforming, and signal reconstruction. This modular digital architecture allows the system to be implemented in compact integrated circuits, improving portability while maintaining functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a beamforming multi-channel receiver system structure is used, then dynamic range is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-power analog signal transmission system with a low-power digital processing system. By performing signal processing in the digital domain, the system achieves the required dynamic range through digital computation rather than high-power analog amplification, significantly reducing power consumption for portable applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient processing of Doppler effects, accurate phase shifts, and digital signal extraction, enhancing system performance while reducing the need for sensitive receivers and minimizing signal decay, making the system suitable for handheld medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

Since a phase demodulator with phase scanning can process the Doppler effect of a moving object so as to extract the related information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8665014B2I/Q demodulation apparatus and method with phase scanning

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

An I/Q demodulation apparatus and method with phase scanning are provided. The demodulation apparatus includes a ring oscillator, a first latch unit, a decoding unit, a counter unit, a second latch unit, a first arithmetical unit and a second arithmetical unit. The first latch unit samples phase signals outputted from the ring oscillator. The decoding unit decodes the output of the first latch unit to correspondingly generate fine code of a first, a second, a third and a fourth codes. The counter unit counts the phase signals. The second latch unit samples the output of the counter unit to correspondingly generate coarse code of the first, the second, the third and the fourth codes. The first arithmetical unit performs an addition/subtraction operation by using the first code and the second code. The second arithmetical unit performs the addition/subtraction operation by using the third code and the fourth code.