Pulser Circuit Pre-Charging for Faster Ultrasound Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage ultrasound transmitter devices face limitations due to finite charge times, which affect the speed of transitioning between transmit and receive modes, leading to reduced imaging performance and non-linearity in signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A pre-charging circuit is implemented to reduce the reverse recovery charge time of components, allowing for faster mode transitions by pre-charging components during transmission and discharging to ground, thereby minimizing current draw and improving signal linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If components are charged during transmission mode, then the transition time to receive mode is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases due to additional pre-charging circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-charging circuit charges capacitive components during the transmit mode before switching to receive mode. This preliminary action reduces the reverse recovery charge time by ensuring components are already charged, thereby minimizing the transition time and improving mode switching speed without requiring complex control mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If standard switching circuits are used, then the device complexity is low, but the signal linearity deteriorates due to parasitic capacitance-induced current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-charging circuit acts as an intermediary between the transmit and receive modes by managing the charge state of capacitive components. It reduces parasitic capacitance-induced current draw during mode transitions, thereby improving signal linearity and reducing HD2 distortion without requiring complex switching mechanisms.
3Productivity
If fast mode transitions are implemented, then the imaging performance is improved, but the current draw increases due to rapid charging and discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-charging circuit performs preliminary charging of capacitive components during transmit mode, so that when switching to receive mode, the components are already in the desired charge state. This reduces the need for rapid discharging and recharging cycles, thereby lowering the overall current draw while maintaining fast mode transitions and improving imaging performance.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a pulser circuit is configured to provide a pulse signal in a first operational state, pre-charge components of the pulser circuit via a first signal path in a second operational state following the first operational state, wherein the first signal path includes first components having a first voltage tolerance and second components having a second voltage tolerance, the first voltage tolerance being less than the second voltage tolerance, and discharge a voltage of the pulser circuit to ground in a third operational state between the first operational state and the second operational state, and following the second operational state.