Universal NMR Console Calibrates Analog Outputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
NMR/MRI systems from different manufacturers are incompatible due to non-uniform digital signals sent to signal generators, preventing the use of controllers across different spectrometer hardware.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measures and calibrates analog output values from a source spectrometer, storing these values to generate corresponding digital control signals for a target spectrometer, ensuring consistent analog outputs across different manufacturers' hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a controller from one manufacturer is used with spectrometer hardware from another manufacturer, then universal compatibility is achieved, but the digital signal non-uniformity across manufacturers prevents consistent analog outputs
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual analog output parameters (voltage, current, pulse length) from the target spectrometer and adjusts the digital control signal parameters accordingly. By changing the digital signal parameters based on measured feedback, the system achieves consistent analog outputs across different manufacturers' hardware while maintaining universal controller compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the analog output signals from the target spectrometer are measured and used to adjust the digital control signals. This closed-loop feedback ensures that despite manufacturer-specific variations in hardware, the analog outputs remain consistent and accurate
2Manufacturing precision
If manufacturer-specific controllers are used, then consistent analog outputs are maintained, but interoperability between different spectrometer systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal controller that can interface with spectrometer hardware from multiple manufacturers. By measuring the specific analog output characteristics of each target system and storing calibration data, the single controller can adapt to different hardware platforms while maintaining consistent performance, eliminating the need for manufacturer-specific controllers
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital signal formats are standardized across manufacturers, then controller compatibility improves, but the underlying hardware variations in signal generation remain unaddressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system goes beyond standardizing digital signal formats by actually measuring the resulting analog output parameters and adjusting the digital control signals accordingly. This involves changing multiple parameters including voltage levels, current magnitudes, and pulse durations to compensate for hardware variations, ensuring both compatibility and precision
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for providing values for control signals for a pulsed magnetic resonance spectrometer such as an NMR spectrometer or an MRI apparatus. The AC output(s) corresponding to a particular signal (e.g. a magnetization or gradient pulse or pulse sequence) originating from a source spectrometer is measured and stored by an independent control unit. The digital output of the independent control unit is then connected to the digital input of the control electronics of a target pulsed magnetic resonance spectrometer, the value of the digital output varied until the AC output(s) of the appropriate signal source of the target spectrometer matches that of the corresponding output(s) of the source spectrometer, corrected, if necessary, for differences in magnetic field strengths.