Solving engineering challenges in ultrasound systems through integration and power scaling

This article looks at issues and tradeoffs in the medical ultrasound system design, and how they are changing. Even if you are involved at present in design of these systems, the article will enlighten you. It also includes a section of current references, many of which are hot-linked.

Note that the intellectual property (IP) of most ultrasound manufacturers lies within the probe and beamformer technology. Multichannel integration of commodity devices, including quad and octal ADCs, minimizes high-cost analog components and reduces the need for time-consuming calibrations in the time-gain-control receive path. Other portions of the ultrasound system offer possibilities for further integration. Integration of more of the signal chain portion will lead to further reductions in power, size, and cost as well as increased processing capability.

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About the author
Rob Reeder is a senior converter applications engineer working in the high-speed signal-processing group at Analog Devices, Inc. He has worked for the company since 1998, and is responsible for development and support on high-speed ADCs (analog-to-digital converters). Rob received his MSEE and BSEE from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.