Ultrasound Beamformer Compression for High-Channel Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
High data transfer rates from ultrasound systems with large channel counts challenge computer bus capabilities, necessitating additional hardware or reduced image quality, which defeats the purpose of hardware reduction in software-based systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression using Fourier transforms across the transducer array to reduce data bandwidth while allowing for the reconstruction of original channel data, utilizing existing hardware for both conventional and compressed beamformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the system channel count is increased to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but data transfer rate becomes extremely high and challenges computer bus capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from raw channel data by applying basis function encoding. Instead of transferring all channel data, the system extracts compressed representations that capture the most significant signal components, reducing data transfer requirements while preserving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters of channel data by transforming it into a compressed domain using basis functions. This parameter transformation allows the same image quality to be achieved with fewer data bits by representing the signal in a more efficient coordinate system.
2Productivity
If additional hardware is used to handle large data transfer rates, then data transfer capability is improved, but hardware cost and complexity increase, defeating the purpose of hardware reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based data compression with software-based basis function encoding. Instead of using specialized compression hardware, the system uses programmable software algorithms that can be updated and optimized without hardware changes, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining data transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing computer bus and processing hardware multi-functional by enabling them to handle both uncompressed and compressed data streams. The same hardware infrastructure can operate in different modes depending on the imaging requirements, eliminating the need for dedicated high-speed hardware interfaces.
3Productivity
If the maximum acoustic frame rate is reduced to lower data transfer rates, then data transfer rate is reduced, but image quality and frame rate performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by encoding only the most significant components of the channel data using basis functions. Instead of processing or transmitting all data at full resolution, the system processes a compressed subset that contains sufficient information for high-quality image reconstruction, enabling high frame rates without overwhelming the data bus.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional beamformation is used without compression, then image quality is maintained, but data bandwidth requirements become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary compression of channel data using basis function encoding before the data is transferred to the computer for beamformation processing. This preliminary action reduces the data bandwidth requirement for transfer while ensuring that all necessary information is preserved for high-quality image reconstruction at the destination.
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
Achieves effective data compression with ratios of 3:1 or more, maintaining image quality by reducing data transfer rates without additional hardware, enabling software-based beamformation and flexible development.
Implementation Method 1
A receive beamformer is configured to receive electrical signals from the elements, to beamform samples from the electrical signals responsive to the first beams, and to compress the electrical signals responsive to the second beams using a Fourier transform applied across the elements for each time.
Implementation Method 2
The frequency data is inverse transformed. A processor generates an ultrasound image from an output of the inverse transforming.
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression allows for software-based image formation. To increase the amount of data transferred, ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression is provided. A beamformer is used to compress instead of or in addition to traditional beamformation. The compression reduces the data bandwidth while allowing reconstruction of the original channel data.