Programmable Echo Signal Switch for Ultrasound Beamforming IC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound echo multiplexing circuits require high-voltage switches that are costly due to the need for low on-resistance and high voltage tolerance, and they often necessitate an equal number of transmit and receive channels, limiting their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A programmable low-voltage analog switch array with a high-voltage T/R switch and diode clamping circuit, integrated into small ICs, allowing for dynamic control and efficient echo signal switching with reduced voltage range requirements, enabling efficient beamforming and imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high-voltage analog switches are used in conventional ultrasound echo multiplexing circuits, then the circuit can handle both high-voltage transmitting pulses and low-voltage receiving echo signals through the same MUX, but the cost of the MUX switch becomes very high due to the requirements of low on-resistance and high voltage tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switching function into two separate components: a high-voltage T/R switch that handles only the transmitting pulses, and a separate low-voltage MUX switch array that handles only the receiving echo signals. This segmentation allows each switch to be optimized for its specific voltage range, eliminating the need for expensive high-voltage tolerant MUX switches while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-voltage switching function is extracted from the MUX and placed in a dedicated T/R switch located at the probe interface. This extraction removes the high-voltage handling requirement from the MUX switches, allowing them to be implemented as low-cost low-voltage devices while the T/R switch independently manages high-voltage pulse transmission and reception switching.
2Device complexity
If conventional ultrasound echo multiplexing circuits are designed with equal number of transmit and receive channels, then the circuit structure is simplified, but the efficiency and cost-effectiveness are reduced due to the inability to optimize channel allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel allocation where the number of transmit channels and receive channels can be independently configured based on the specific imaging application requirements. The programmable MUX switch array allows flexible routing of echo signals from any combination of transducer elements to any number of receive channels, enabling optimization of the Tx/Rx channel ratio for different imaging modes such as phased array, linear array, or matrix array configurations.
3Device complexity
If high-voltage transmitting pulses and low-voltage receiving echo signals pass through the same MUX, then the circuit integration is improved, but every MUX switch must have low on-resistance when turned on and withstand high voltage when turned off, making the MUX switch very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal path into high-voltage and low-voltage domains. The high-voltage T/R switch handles transmitting pulses and switches to the receive state, while a separate low-voltage MUX switch array handles the echo signals. This segmentation allows the MUX switches to be designed as low-voltage devices with optimized low on-resistance for signal integrity, without requiring expensive high-voltage tolerance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-voltage T/R switch acts as an intermediary between the high-voltage transmit pulse source and the low-voltage MUX switch array. It isolates the MUX switches from high-voltage transients while maintaining signal integrity, allowing the MUX switches to operate in their optimal low-voltage regime without exposure to damaging high-voltage conditions.
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 solution reduces the cost and complexity of ultrasound beamforming circuits by allowing efficient switching of echo signals with a programmable digital interface, supporting high-resolution acoustic imaging and dynamic focus in ultrasound systems.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage limiting circuit is connected to the input terminal of the switch array circuit
Implementation Method 2
A high-voltage Transmit/Receive (T/R) switch is coupled to the at least one switching circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switching array and method uses a programmable multi-channel analog switch with a high voltage T/R switch and voltage limiting circuit for ultrasound image system echo signal multiplexing beamforming receiver frontend circuit.