Ultrasonic Probe Device with Grouped Bias Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic probe devices with capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers face challenges in efficiently transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves over varying distances due to the dependence of frequency range on DC bias voltage, leading to low detection sensitivity for waves traveling long distances.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic probe device employs a band control unit to determine optimal bias voltage values for groups of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers, allowing for continuous transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves across a wide frequency band by adjusting the DC bias voltage based on calculated bias voltage-frequency relations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the DC bias voltage is set to be low to improve receiving efficiency for ultrasonic waves traveling short distances, then the receiving sensitivity for near-field waves is improved, but the detection sensitivity for ultrasonic waves traveling long distances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cMUT array is divided into multiple groups, with each group assigned a specific DC bias voltage level. This segmentation allows different portions of the array to operate at different sensitivity settings simultaneously, enabling both near-field and far-field detection capabilities to be maintained across the same operating period.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC bias voltage applied to different groups of cMUTs is dynamically adjusted based on the distance to the target. By controlling the bias voltage to vary across groups rather than uniformly across all elements, the system adapts its reception characteristics to match the spatial distribution of reflected ultrasonic waves.
2Measurement precision
If the DC bias voltage is set to be high to increase detection sensitivity for ultrasonic waves traveling long distances, then the detection sensitivity for distant waves is improved, but the receiving efficiency for ultrasonic waves traveling short distances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cMUT array is divided into multiple groups, with each group assigned a specific DC bias voltage level. This segmentation allows different portions of the array to operate at different sensitivity settings simultaneously, enabling both near-field and far-field detection capabilities to be maintained across the same operating period.
Solution Approach 2:
Different groups of cMUTs are assigned different DC bias voltage levels appropriate to their specific detection needs. Groups detecting near-field reflections use lower bias voltages for efficiency, while groups detecting far-field reflections use higher bias voltages for sensitivity, optimizing local performance for each spatial region.
3Device complexity
If a single DC bias voltage value is applied to all capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers, then the circuit configuration is simplified, but the frequency range coverage and detection performance across different distances deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cMUT array is divided into multiple groups, with each group assigned a specific DC bias voltage level. This segmentation allows different portions of the array to operate at different sensitivity settings simultaneously, enabling both near-field and far-field detection capabilities to be maintained across the same operating period.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic probe device achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single device to detect both near-field and far-field ultrasonic reflections effectively. Through grouped bias voltage control, the same hardware configuration can adapt to different detection scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems.
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
This approach enhances the sensitivity and efficiency of ultrasonic wave detection over a wide frequency range, enabling the acquisition of high-quality images with improved depth penetration and sensitivity, while simplifying the circuit configuration by acting as a frequency filter.
Implementation Method 1
When a voltage is applied between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, a capacitance changes between these electrodes, so that the thin film vibrates.
Implementation Method 2
when the cMUT receives the ultrasonic wave, the thin film vibrates. By this vibration, charges electrized on the lower electrode and the upper electrode change.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic probe device includes capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers, a band control unit and a bias voltage change unit. Each of the transducers belongs to one of groups, each of the groups includes at least one of the transducers. The band control unit determines the bias voltage value which varies for each of the groups, and a timing to apply the direct-current bias voltage having the bias voltage value so that all frequencies included in an operating frequency are transmitted and/or received by the ultrasonic probe device during an operation period. The bias voltage change unit changes the direct-current bias voltage to be applied to the capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers in accordance with the bias voltage value and the timing.