Signal Path Equalizer for Scanning Acoustic Microscope Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-transducer scanning acoustic microscopy systems face challenges due to inherent variations in transducer performance, leading to brightness differences and erroneous analysis results, as previous solutions only addressed signal strength variations and not waveform shape and phase differences.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a signal path equalizer with selected equalization coefficients to match the response characteristic of each transducer to a reference, using frequency domain filtering to create a reference waveform and apply transfer functions to equalize waveforms, ensuring consistent image quality across multiple transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transducers are used to increase scan throughput, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in transducer performance causing brightness differences and waveform shape variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the signal processing parameters (equalization coefficients) for each transducer to compensate for performance variations. The system determines optimal equalization coefficients for each transducer based on their individual response characteristics, thereby standardizing the output signals across all transducers and eliminating brightness differences and waveform shape variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring the actual response characteristics of each transducer and using this information to adjust the equalization coefficients. The measured response characteristics feed into the coefficient determination process, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for transducer variations and ensures consistent image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If signal path equalization is applied to multiple transducers, then manufacturing precision is improved through uniform image quality, but device complexity increases due to additional equalization components and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a single equalization module that can process signals from multiple transducers. The same equalization hardware or software component handles all transducer signals, applying transducer-specific coefficients through a unified processing framework. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate equalization circuits for each transducer, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining image uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse.