Ultrasonic Imaging Transducer Array Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic imaging apparatuses face challenges in reducing size and power consumption while maintaining high image quality, as reducing the number of ADC channels or transducer elements degrades image resolution and focusing ability.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus employs a select circuit to alternately perform coherent addition of signals from odd and even numbers of transducers, with symmetrical delays across the array, to enhance resolution and image quality while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the number of ADC channels or transducer elements is reduced to decrease device size and power consumption, then power consumption and device size are reduced, but image quality and resolution are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately performing coherent addition of signals from odd numbers of transducers and coherent addition of signals from even numbers of transducers. This alternating pattern allows the system to maintain high image resolution by utilizing different numbers of transducer elements in different time periods, thereby achieving both power savings and image quality without requiring all transducers to operate simultaneously at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the number of active transducer elements variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between using odd numbers of transducers and even numbers of transducers based on the alternating coherent addition operations. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of power consumption while maintaining image resolution through adaptive use of available transducer elements.
2Volume of moving object
If the number of ADC channels is reduced to decrease device size, then device size is reduced, but focusing ability and resolution are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by alternating between coherent addition of odd-numbered transducer signals and coherent addition of even-numbered transducer signals. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain focusing ability by ensuring that sufficient transducer elements are actively engaged in each operation cycle, while still reducing the peak number of simultaneously active channels to decrease device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting which transducer elements are active in each coherent addition operation. By alternating between odd and even numbers of transducers, the system dynamically optimizes the balance between device size and focusing ability, ensuring reliable ultrasonic beam formation without requiring all transducers to be simultaneously active.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the drive voltage of transducers is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the magnitude of transmitted ultrasonic pulses and received signals is weakened, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between operations using odd numbers of transducers and operations using even numbers of transducers. This alternating pattern allows the system to maintain adequate signal magnitude by ensuring sufficient transducer engagement in each cycle, while reducing overall power consumption through the periodic nature of the operations. The coherent addition process amplifies the combined signal, compensating for lower individual transducer output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements merging by combining signals from multiple transducer elements through coherent addition. By alternately adding signals from odd numbers of transducers and even numbers of transducers, the system merges the output of multiple lower-power transducers to achieve the required signal magnitude, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining image quality.
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 improves image resolution and maintains high image quality by optimizing the number of transducers used for transmission and reception, allowing for effective power management without compromising focusing ability.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer array having a large number of transducer elements (i.e., piezoelectric elements) that may be arranged in one dimension
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic pulse reflects off the boundary between different living tissues having different acoustic impedances such as a boundary between muscle and fat
Implementation Method 3
The m transducer elements outputs m received analog signals, respectively, which are then converted into received digital signals by m ADCs
Implementation Method 4
The m received digital signals are subjected to delay adjustment such as to eliminate time differences between these signals that are attributable to differences in the distance between the focal point and the m transducer elements
Implementation Method 5
All the m received digital signals after the delay adjustment are added up to produce one received digital signal as the result of summation
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a plurality of transducers aligned in an array, a select circuit configured to cause transducers selected from the plurality of transducers to transmit an ultrasonic pulse and receive received signals, respectively, and a digital signal processing circuit configured to perform a first operation of adding up an odd number of the received signals, arranged in an order corresponding to the aligned array, with delays that are symmetrical between two sides across a center that is a centrally located signal, and to perform a second operation of adding up an even number of the received signals, arranged in an order corresponding to the aligned array, with delays that are symmetrical between two sides across a center that is situated between two centrally located signals.