Ultrasonic Harmonic Weighting for Azimuth Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adaptive beamforming techniques struggle to produce high-resolution images in ultrasonic measurement apparatuses due to complex calculations and convergence issues caused by numerous reflectors in the body, leading to difficulties in differentiating unneeded waves and artifacts such as virtual images from multiple reflections and diffraction.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic measurement apparatus with a reception processing unit, harmonic processing unit, and signal processing unit that extracts harmonic components from ultrasonic echoes and applies varying weights based on their values to enhance azimuth resolution, align phases through delay processing, and perform spatial averaging to improve estimation accuracy and remove noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive beamforming is applied to ultrasonic measurement apparatus, then sensitivity to desired direction waves is improved, but calculation complexity increases and convergence becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex adaptive beamforming calculation into two stages: first calculating weights based on fundamental frequency signals, then applying these weights to harmonic frequency signals. This segmentation reduces the computational burden by avoiding full adaptive beamforming calculations on all frequency components, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If adaptive beamforming is applied to ultrasonic measurement apparatus, then sensitivity to desired direction waves is improved, but calculation convergence becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adaptive beamforming process to first converge on fundamental frequency weights, then apply these established weights to harmonic frequencies. This segmentation ensures calculation convergence by breaking down the complex multi-frequency optimization problem into manageable sequential steps, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and calculation convergence reliability.
3Measurement precision
If harmonic components are extracted and weighted varying weights are applied, then azimuth resolution is enhanced, but calculation processes become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by calculating the weights for harmonic components based on previously obtained fundamental frequency results. This preliminary weighting approach enhances azimuth resolution through harmonic processing while avoiding the need for complete recalculation, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
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 solution enables the generation of images with enhanced azimuth resolution and improved accuracy by reducing noise and complexity in calculations, allowing for more precise differentiation of waves and better image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic element array 12 to transmit ultrasonic waves to a subject and to receive ultrasonic echoes
Implementation Method 2
a harmonic processing unit configured to extract a harmonic component of the ultrasonic echo from the received signal
Implementation Method 3
a signal processing unit configured to add a weighting to the harmonic component by using a weight that varies depending on a value of the harmonic component
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic measurement apparatus includes a reception processing unit, a harmonic processing unit, a signal processing unit and an image generation unit. The reception processing unit is configured to receive, as a received signal, an ultrasonic echo corresponding to an ultrasonic wave transmitted toward a subject. The harmonic processing unit is configured to extract a harmonic component of the ultrasonic echo from the received signal. The signal processing unit is configured to add a weighting to the harmonic component by using a weight that varies depending on a value of the harmonic component. The image generation unit is configured to generate an image based on a signal to which the weighting has been added.