Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Bus Segmentation for Control Parameter Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face inefficiencies in transmission and reception control due to round robin scheduling, leading to prolonged Pulse Repetition Intervals (PRI), decreased frame rate, and reduced image resolution, especially when handling multiple ultrasonic channels and simultaneous control parameter settings.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus employs a function-specific circuitry arrangement with internal memories and arbitration circuitry for each function, allowing almost simultaneous transfer of control parameters to processing circuitry interfaces, and implements exception priority round robin scheduling to manage bus busy conditions, ensuring efficient data transfer and shorter PRIs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If round robin scheduling is used to manage internal bus access, then control parameters can be transferred to multiple devices, but the transfer time increases and PRI must be prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single internal bus into multiple separate internal buses, with each bus dedicated to transferring control parameters to specific devices (transmission circuitry, reception circuitry, signal processing circuitry). This segmentation eliminates the need for round robin scheduling and allows simultaneous transfers without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces separate internal memories as intermediaries between the control parameter storage and the various processing circuitries. Each internal memory is connected to its corresponding circuitry via a dedicated internal bus, enabling parallel control parameter transfers without bus conflicts.
2Device complexity
If control parameters are transferred sequentially using shared internal bus, then device complexity is reduced, but frame rate decreases and image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared internal bus into multiple dedicated internal buses, each serving specific processing circuitries. This increases device complexity slightly but enables simultaneous control parameter transfers, thereby maintaining high frame rates and image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transfers control parameters to internal memories in advance before the actual ultrasonic transmission and reception processes. This preliminary action ensures that control parameters are ready when needed, eliminating transfer time delays during critical operations and maintaining high frame rates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If number of ultrasonic channels is increased, then diagnostic capability improves, but control parameter transfer amount increases and bus becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control parameter transfer system into multiple parallel internal buses, each handling control parameters for specific channels or circuitries. This segmentation allows the system to handle increased numbers of ultrasonic channels without overloading a single bus, as transfers occur in parallel across multiple buses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional sequential bus transfer system to a multi-dimensional parallel transfer system with multiple internal buses operating simultaneously. This dimensional change enables the system to scale with increased channel capacity without proportional increase in transfer time.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises plurality of processing circuitry and control circuitry. The control circuitry comprises a plurality of processing circuitry interfaces, a plurality of internal memories, and a control information interface. The plurality of processing circuitry interfaces respectively connected to the plurality of processing circuitry. The plurality of internal memory respectively connected to the plurality of processing circuitry interfaces. The control information interface configured to transfer control information associated with at least reception of the ultrasonic wave to at least one of the plurality of internal memories.