Magnetic Resonance Controller Synchronization via Deterministic PCIe Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance apparatuses require precise synchronization of system components, which is costly and error-prone due to the need for proprietary solutions for each system, leading to high development costs and risks.
Innovation Solution
A method where control commands are supplied in relative chronological order using a system clock, with a data-converting interface handling latency compensation via a deterministic bus system, ensuring precise timing across all components without additional time stamps, utilizing a standard protocol like JESD204B for efficient and error-reduced synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If proprietary synchronization solutions are developed for each magnetic resonance system, then the required coordination accuracy (1 ns to 100 μs) is achieved, but development costs and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized PCIe bus system that can serve multiple synchronization functions across different magnetic resonance system configurations. The PCIe interface provides a universal communication pathway that replaces multiple proprietary synchronization mechanisms, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to handle timing-critical commands, data acquisition, and system coordination without requiring custom solutions for each function or system variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes custom-designed proprietary synchronization hardware and protocols with a standardized electronic bus system (PCIe). This replacement leverages成熟, industry-standard technology with deterministic timing characteristics to achieve the required 1 ns to 100 μs coordination accuracy without the need for custom mechanical or electronic synchronization mechanisms, thereby reducing development complexity while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If proprietary synchronization protocols are developed for each system, then precise timing coordination is achieved, but development time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe bus system serves as a universal communication infrastructure that handles multiple timing-critical functions simultaneously, including gradient coil control, RF pulse sequencing, and data acquisition synchronization. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need to develop separate proprietary protocols for each function, reducing development effort while maintaining the required timing precision through the bus's inherent deterministic timing capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If custom synchronization systems are developed for each magnetic resonance apparatus, then the required coordination accuracy is achieved, but the risk of development errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces custom-developed synchronization mechanisms with the standardized PCIe bus system, which has well-documented, proven timing characteristics and deterministic behavior. This substitution reduces development error risk by leveraging a mature, industry-standard interface with known performance characteristics rather than untested proprietary solutions, while still achieving the required 1 ns to 100 μs coordination accuracy through proper utilization of the PCIe timing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and controller for controlling a magnetic resonance system, a sequence of synchronized control commands is transmitted to different system components of the magnetic resonance system. For different system components a number of control commands is supplied in a relative chronological order in relation to a defined system time, wherein the control commands in the relative chronological order are each allocated times that specify when a particular control command should be executed in relation to a defined system time. The control commands are passed in the relative chronological order to a data-converting interface, which forwards the control commands in a latency-compensating data transfer protocol via a bus system, which has a deterministic latency, to the individual system components.