Ultrasonic Data Compression via I/Q Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density phased array ultrasound devices face challenges in storing and processing large volumes of data due to limitations in storage and data transfer capabilities, particularly in real-time processing and transfer of data exceeding common network technologies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting raw radio frequency (RF) data into in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) data, video compressing the I/Q data using standards like H264/H265, and outputting the compressed data for real-time processing and storage, allowing for efficient data management and transfer by reducing the data rate through downsampling and decimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducer count and sampling frequency are increased to improve image resolution, then image quality is improved, but data storage and transfer requirements become unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from the raw RF ultrasound data by converting to I/Q data and applying video compression. This removes redundant data while preserving the critical image-forming information, allowing high-resolution imaging with manageable data volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data representation parameters by converting from raw RF sampling to I/Q demodulated data, and then applies video compression parameters (H.264/H.265) to the I/Q data. This parameter transformation dramatically reduces data volume while maintaining image quality.
2Measurement precision
If high-density phased arrays are used to improve image quality, then imaging capability is improved, but real-time processing and transfer become infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data reduction by converting RF data to I/Q data and applying video compression before the data leaves the tool. This preliminary processing reduces the data burden for subsequent real-time transfer and processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional ultrasound data processing methods with video compression technology (H.264/H.265) that was designed for video but proves highly effective for compressing the temporal and spatial redundancies in ultrasound I/Q data.
3Measurement precision
If data is stored or streamed at high rates to maintain image quality, then image fidelity is preserved, but storage and network infrastructure requirements become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a compressed representation (copy) of the original RF data in I/Q format with video compression. This compressed copy contains sufficient information for high-quality image reconstruction but occupies minimal storage space and bandwidth.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for processing ultrasonic data from an industrial inspection device. Ultrasonic reflections from a high-resolution phased array are sampled at high-frequency to create a large volume of data. The data are converted to I/Q data and compressed to a manageable size. An external computer can beamform and render an image without restoring the compressed data to raw form. This method may be used for in-line inspection, downhole inspection, or ultrasonic testing.