MRI Signal Selection Device Reducing Digital Chip Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, the large number of reception antennas generates a multitude of independent signals that require numerous cables and A/D converters, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for a corresponding large number of digital selection chips, even if only a subset is used.
Innovation Solution
A signal selection device with A/D converter chips and digital selection chips, controlled by a metadata-driven system that selectively processes and reduces the number of logical data streams, allowing for a reduction in the number of digital chips required, enabling efficient signal selection and transmission only for the current data capture process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of reception antennas is increased to improve image quality and acquisition speed, then the number of independent signals increases, but the number of required cables and A/D converters increases, leading to increased system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal inputs from reception antennas are merged into fewer logical data streams through multiplexing. The patent combines signals from multiple antennas into a reduced number of data streams that can be processed by fewer A/D converters, thereby maintaining high productivity while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The A/D converter chips are designed to handle multiple functions by processing different logical data streams. Each A/D converter can dynamically adapt to process different combinations of antenna signals based on the current measurement requirements, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes and reduce the total number of converters needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of digital selection chips is increased to match the number of A/D converter chips, then all signals can be processed, but the cost and complexity increase even when only a subset is used
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by enabling digital selection chips to process only the subset of signals currently required for the measurement task. Instead of requiring all possible signal paths to be available simultaneously, the system activates only the necessary number of digital selection chips based on the current experimental configuration, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the number of active digital selection chips based on the current measurement requirements. The configuration can be changed between measurements, allowing the system to adapt to different numbers of active antennas and data streams, optimizing the balance between adaptability and complexity for each specific measurement scenario.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of logical data streams from A/D converter chips exceeds the number of data streams that can be captured simultaneously, then more signals are available for processing, but the current readout capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The large number of logical data streams are segmented into multiple groups, with each group processed by dedicated A/D converter chips. The system divides the total signal set into manageable segments that can be processed in parallel, allowing the number of available data streams to exceed the simultaneous capture capacity while maintaining efficient processing through segmented handling of different signal groups.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments relate to signal selection devices for reception antennas. The signal selection device includes a plurality of signal inputs for the reception of signals from the reception antennas via an interface arrangement, and a plurality of signal outputs for the output of altered signals from the reception antennas. The signal selection device is used for selecting/reducing received signals from the reception antennas and forwarding them to an image processing device. The signal selection device contains a plurality of A/D converter chips, a plurality of digital selection chips, and at least physical and/or logical portions of a control unit. The received signals from the reception antennas are fed into the plurality of A/D converter chips via a plurality of signal inputs, are converted into digital data streams, and are supplied to the digital selection chips via signal outputs of the A/D converter chips.