MRI Receiving Coil Clock Synchronization via Local Copy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in achieving accurate clock synchronization for wireless transmission of clock signals, which is crucial for preventing phase shifts in echo signals, especially in highly accurate imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
The MRI system employs a receiving coil unit with clock generating circuitry that generates a second clock signal independent of the system's clock signal, allowing for shift information generation and correction of sampled magnetic resonance signals to synchronize with the system's clock, thereby mitigating irregular fluctuations caused by wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used to transmit clock signals from coil to system, then cable setup burden is eliminated, but clock synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to irregular fluctuations in wireless path
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates a local copy of the clock signal at the coil side using clock generating circuitry that creates a second clock signal based on the received first clock signal. This local copy is then used for sampling, eliminating the need to rely on the fluctuating wireless clock signal while maintaining synchronization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates shift information by comparing the first clock signal received wirelessly with the second clock signal generated locally. This feedback mechanism detects the phase shift caused by wireless transmission fluctuations and enables correction of the sampled magnetic resonance signal to compensate for the timing errors.
2Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used for clock signal, then operator and patient burden is reduced, but phase shift in echo signal occurs due to clock synchronization errors
Solution Approach 1:
By generating a local second clock signal at the coil side, the system creates a stable timing reference that is not affected by wireless transmission fluctuations. This local copy ensures reliable sampling timing while maintaining the wireless operation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameter of the clock signal by calculating the phase shift between the first and second clock signals. This parameter change information is used to adjust the sampling timing and correct the echo signal, thereby compensating for the phase shift caused by wireless transmission.
3Measurement precision
If local clock generation is implemented at coil side, then clock synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The clock synchronization function is segmented into two parts: receiving the first clock signal wirelessly and generating the second clock signal locally at the coil side. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wireless operation while achieving accurate synchronization through local clock generation and shift calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a receiving coil unit. The apparatus includes first circuitry which transmits an RF pulse based on a first clock. The coil unit includes clock generating circuitry, a receiving coil and first conversion circuitry. The clock generating circuitry generates a second clock. The first conversion circuitry samples a magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the second clock. The coil unit further includes generation circuitry which generates shift information regarding a difference between the first clock and the second clock, and shift correction circuitry which corrects the sampled magnetic resonance signal by using the shift information.