Magnetic Resonance Control Buffer for Real-Time Signal Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance devices require complex and expensive computing devices for real-time control and measurement tasks, which are not efficiently met by conventional programmable computers due to hard real-time requirements, leading to distorted signals and impaired measurement quality.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance apparatus with a buffer device that includes a control buffer memory per channel, where a software tool on a programmable computing device determines values as a function of predefined parameters and writes them to the control buffer memory, allowing for precise control signal generation using a read clock independent of the computing device, reducing the need for expensive intelligent computing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional programmable computers are used for real-time control tasks, then device complexity is reduced, but hard real-time requirements cannot be met leading to signal distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two distinct parts: a programmable computing device that performs non-critical control calculations, and a dedicated real-time control unit that handles time-critical signal generation and processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining hard real-time performance where required.
Solution Approach 2:
A real-time control unit acts as an intermediary between the conventional programmable computer and the gradient current control system. This intermediary receives control parameters from the software, performs precise real-time calculations, and generates accurate control signals, thereby bridging the gap between soft real-time computing capabilities and hard real-time control requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If expensive intelligent computing devices are used to meet hard real-time requirements, then real-time control precision is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions by time-criticality: non-time-critical parameter calculation is performed on inexpensive conventional computers, while only essential real-time signal generation is handled by dedicated hardware. This reduces the need for expensive intelligent computing devices while maintaining necessary control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex intelligent computing devices with a combination of conventional computers and simpler, dedicated real-time control units. This substitution uses more affordable components that, when properly architected, achieve the same control precision at lower production cost.
3Device complexity
If soft real-time operation is used instead of hard real-time, then device complexity is reduced, but sampling interval variance increases
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated real-time control unit serves as an intermediary that receives soft real-time parameters from the conventional computer and converts them into hard real-time control signals. This intermediary eliminates sampling interval variance by using precise hardware-based timing and clocking mechanisms, while the upstream software can operate with more flexible timing.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance apparatus has a computer designed to emit, on each of at least one control channel, a control signal generated from a sequence of values to control, via each channel, at least one component of the magnetic resonance apparatus. A buffer device is provided for each channel, which includes at least one read control device and a control buffer memory for that control channel. A software tool running on the computer is designed to determine the values as a function of predefined parameters and write them to the control buffer memory. The read control device is designed to read values from the control buffer memory and to supply them, with a read clock derived from a clock that was set independently of the computer, to the respective component. For each of the control buffer memories, the order in which the values are read corresponds to the order in which they are written.