Ultrasonic Signal Processing with Adaptive Spatial Smoothing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic apparatuses using adaptive signal processing face challenges in maintaining high azimuth resolution and image contrast ratio, particularly when noise components with high correlativity are present, leading to increased side lobe levels and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic apparatus that combines adaptive signal processing using directionally constrained minimization of power (DCMP) with spatial smoothing, along with fixed signal processing, to generate a synthesized output signal by calculating a correlation matrix, extracting sub-matrices, and determining weighting coefficients, thereby improving azimuth resolution and contrast ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive signal processing using DCMP is used to improve azimuth resolution, then azimuth resolution is improved, but side lobe levels increase and image contrast ratio deteriorates when noise components with high correlativity are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correlation matrix into multiple sub-matrices based on different time windows or spatial regions. By processing these sub-matrices separately and combining their results, the method reduces the impact of noise components with high correlativity while maintaining azimuth resolution improvement from adaptive signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts processing parameters such as the size and number of sub-matrices, weighting coefficients for combining sub-matrix results, and threshold values for noise suppression. These parameter changes enable the system to adapt to different noise conditions while maintaining optimal azimuth resolution and controlling side lobe levels.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If spatial smoothing is applied to suppress noise components, then noise suppression is improved, but azimuth resolution may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spatial smoothing by dividing the correlation matrix into sub-matrices and averaging them, which suppresses noise components with high correlativity. This segmented approach to spatial smoothing reduces noise while preserving azimuth resolution better than traditional uniform spatial smoothing methods.
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
The apparatus achieves high azimuth resolution and improved image contrast ratio by effectively suppressing noise components and controlling correlativity between desired waves and noise, while minimizing side lobe levels and maintaining spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transducers that receive ultrasonic signals and convert them into received electrical signals, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic apparatus is provided with an adaptive signal processing block (007) and a fixed signal processing block (006). The adaptive signal processing block generates a first intermediate signal by calculating a correlation matrix of a plurality of received electrical signals, extracting a plurality of sub-matrices from the correlation matrix, calculating a sub-correlation matrix by averaging the plurality of sub-matrices, determining a weighting coefficient from the sub-correlation matrix, and synthesizing the plurality of received electrical signals by using the weighting coefficient. The fixed signal processing block generates a second intermediate signal by synthesizing the plurality of received electrical signals with the use of a predetermined weighting coefficient. Then, a comparison and synthesis processing block (008) generate an output signal by comparing and synthesizing the first and second intermediate signals with each other.