MRI Clock Synchronization via Timestamp Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices face challenges in synchronizing MR signals between the coil side and system side assemblies, leading to phase errors and image artifacts due to discrepancies in local and system clock generators, which affect image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for synchronizing MR signals by determining and correcting the time difference between local and system clock generators, using timestamp-based synchronization messages and techniques like FDMA or CDMA for signal channel assignment, ensuring constant phase difference and accurate signal acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If local clock generator is used at coil side assembly, then signal acquisition can be performed independently at coil side, but time synchronization with system side assembly deteriorates causing phase errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the system side assembly sends timestamped synchronization messages to the coil side assembly, which records arrival timestamps and calculates time differences. This feedback loop continuously measures and compensates for clock generator deviations, maintaining synchronization while preserving independent operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Timestamp-based synchronization messages act as an intermediary between the system side assembly and coil side assembly. These messages carry timing information that mediates the synchronization relationship, allowing both sides to maintain independent operation while achieving coordinated timing through the intermediary timestamp exchange.
2Measurement precision
If timestamp-based synchronization is implemented, then time difference measurement improves, but system complexity increases due to additional synchronization messages
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of time measurement from direct clock comparison to indirect timestamp-based calculation. By embedding timestamps in synchronization messages and computing time differences through arithmetic operations on these timestamps, the system achieves high measurement precision while keeping the implementation relatively simple.
3Device complexity
If clock synchronization is not maintained, then device operation remains simple, but phase errors and image artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by having the system side assembly send timestamped messages before actual signal acquisition. This preliminary action establishes the time reference and allows the coil side assembly to pre-calculate time differences, preventing phase errors during the actual imaging process without requiring continuous complex synchronization mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for MR signal synchronization may be provided. The method may include determining a time difference in a local clock generator at a coil side assembly compared to a system clock generator at a system side assembly. The method may include maintaining a constant phase difference between clock signals generated by the local clock generator and by the system clock generator by correcting the local clock generator based on the time difference. The method may include acquiring MR echo signals by scanning at least a part of a subject in response to the clock signal generated by the corrected local clock generator. The method may further include digitizing the MR echo signal at the coil side assembly.