PMUT Receive Circuit With Series Connection for Low-Power Ultrasound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic diagnostic systems face challenges in achieving low power consumption and high dynamic range due to high power consumption in the TGC required for the number of channels in PMUT systems.
Innovation Solution
A CMOS circuit design incorporating a plurality of PMUT sections with a wave transmitter that switches voltage between high and low voltages, and a series connector that connects PMUT sections in series during reception, along with an amplifier section, holding capacitance sections, and a series capacitance section to manage signal reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a PMUT is applied to the AFE with multi-channeling, then the sensitivity and dynamic range of the system are improved, but the power consumption of the TGC becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the PMUT array into multiple independent groups, each with its own dedicated AFE channel. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the necessary channels during reception, reducing the overall power consumption of TGC while maintaining the sensitivity and dynamic range benefits of multi-channeling where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection and activation based on the specific imaging requirements. The system can dynamically adjust which AFE channels are active during reception, optimizing the balance between performance (sensitivity/dynamic range) and power consumption by activating only the necessary channels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If PMUT sections are connected in series during reception, then the noise request to LNA is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces series connection switches as intermediary components that can dynamically connect PMUT sections in series during reception. These switches act as mediators between the PMUT array and the LNA, enabling the system to reduce noise requests to the LNA when needed while maintaining circuit modularity and manageable complexity through standardized switching mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves low power consumption and high dynamic range in ultrasonic diagnostic systems by optimizing signal processing and reducing noise, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sensitivity of ultrasound imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe is known in which electrical impedance is changed by switching wiring of transmission and reception elements of a PMUT between transmission and reception of ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
receiving the reflected ultrasound, and performing various processing on the reception signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transmission and reception device including: a plurality of PMUT sections in which each PMUT section includes one or more PMUTs on a CMOS circuit; and the CMOS circuit. The CMOS circuit includes: a wave transmitter that switches a voltage between a high voltage and a low voltage and applies the switched voltage to one or both of an upper electrode and a lower electrode of the PMUT section at a time of transmission of an ultrasound; and a series connector that connects the PMUT sections in series in an arbitrary number of series and connects the connected PMUT sections between a wave receiver and a common potential at a time of reception of an ultrasound, the wave receiver processing a reception signal of the connected PMUT sections.