High speed distribution of data for control of ultrasound devices
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Publication Number
US-10955537-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of distributing data to a transducer array of an ultrasonic device, the transducer array including transduction elements arranged in module units, includes generating a data packet using an optical transceiver controlled by a controller, the data packet including activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength, transmitting the data packet from the controller to a target device via a signal in an optical fiber, the target device having a beam divider device, splitting the data signal, using the beam divider device, into a plurality of data streams, where each of the data streams carries the data packet in an identical phase, transmitting the data streams to the module units, and activating the transduction elements based on the received data streams.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a method of distributing data to a transducer array of an ultrasonic device by using an optical transceiver in a controller. The controller generates a data packet that includes activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength and transmits the data packet via an optical fiber to a target device that includes a beam divider device.
At the target device, the beam divider device splits the data signal into a plurality of data streams. Each of the data streams carries the data packet in an identical phase when transmitted to the drivers, and the drivers activate transduction elements based on the received data streams, thereby controlling groups of transduction elements arranged in modules.
The invention further supports bidirectional transfer in the described architecture by receiving imaging data from a plurality of transduction elements of the transducer array. The imaging data is combined into a return data packet and transmitted back to the controller via a return signal in the optical fiber. Additional refinements describe encoding optional clock and trigger timing using wavelength encoding and using addresses for transduction elements or modules and subaddresses.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes two independent claims, a method and a system. The inventive features emphasize wavelength-encoded activation instructions, optical-fiber delivery to a target device, beam-division into multiple identical-phase streams, and driver-based activation of transduction elements based on the received streams.
Wavelength-encoded activation instructions in an optical data packet
Generating a data packet from an optical transceiver in a controller, the data packet including activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength.
Optical-fiber transmission to a target device with beam divider
Transmitting the data packet from the controller to a target device via a data signal in an optical fiber, the target device having a beam divider device.
Beam-division into identical-phase data streams
Splitting the data signal, using the beam divider device, into a plurality of data streams, with each of the data streams carrying the data packet in an identical phase.
Driver activation based on received data streams
Transmitting the data streams to the drivers; and activating the transduction elements based on the received data streams.
Controller-controlled optical transceiver and packet generation
A controller comprising a memory, an optical transceiver, and a processor that controls the optical transceiver to generate a data packet that includes activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength.
Target device beam divider connected by an optical fiber
A target device comprising a transducer array and a beam divider device connected to the optical transceiver by an optical fiber, the transducer array having drivers that control transduction elements of the transducer array.
System-level splitting into multiple data streams and driver activation
The controller transmits a data packet to the target device in a data signal via the optical fiber; the beam divider device divides the data signal into a plurality of data streams and transmits the data streams to the drivers; and the drivers activate the transduction elements based on the received data streams.
Across the independent claims, the invention is centered on sending wavelength-encoded activation instructions from a controller over an optical fiber to a beam-divider-equipped target device, splitting the signal into multiple identical-phase streams, and activating transduction elements via drivers using the received streams. Dependent claim refinements in the provided material further add clock and trigger timing, address structure, optional imaging-data return, and specified phase relationships for the split streams.
Stated Advantages
Near-zero phase shift distribution.
Phase-synchronous clock recovery.
Improved closed-loop timing.
Reduced conductor needs for MR compatibility.
Expanded phase resolution/phase-level scaling.
Documented Applications
Near-zero phase shift distribution and phase-synchronous clock recovery for high-speed ultrasonic control and data distribution architecture.
Closed-loop operation including imaging data feedback via return data packet.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatibility by reducing conductor needs [application context described in the provided content].
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