High speed distribution of data for control of ultrasound devices
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Publication Number
US-11592541-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-28
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 invention relates to a method of distributing data to a transducer array of a target device using an optical fiber data signal. A data packet is received at the target device via the optical fiber, where the data packet comprises activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength. The target device includes a beam divider device that splits the data signal into a plurality of data streams.
Each data stream carries the data packet in an identical phase, and the data streams are transmitted from the beam divider to drivers of the transducer array. The drivers activate transduction elements of the transducer array based on the received data streams. This phase-identical splitting distributes activation instructions to multiple drivers in a synchronized manner.
The invention also encompasses an ultrasonic system in which the target device receives, via the optical fiber, the data packet with activation instructions encoded in the first wavelength. 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. The described scheme is associated with near-zero phase shift distribution, closed-loop performance, and MRI-compatible implementation by minimizing conductive loops and materials.
Claims Coverage
The provided material identifies two independent claims: clm-00001 and clm-00014. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features include optical-fiber distribution of a wavelength-encoded activation data packet, phase-identical beam-divider splitting into multiple data streams, and driver-based activation of transduction elements at a target device.
Wavelength-encoded activation data packet received via optical fiber
The target device receives via an optical-fiber data signal a data packet comprising activation instructions encoded in a first wavelength.
Beam-division into phase-identical data streams
The beam divider device splits the optical-fiber data signal into a plurality of data streams, with each data stream carrying the data packet in an identical phase.
Driver activation of transduction elements based on received streams
Drivers activate transduction elements of the transducer array based on the received data streams transmitted from the beam divider device.
In combination, the independent claims define an ultrasonic data distribution architecture where a wavelength-encoded activation data packet is delivered over an optical fiber, split into phase-identical streams by a beam divider, and used by transducer-array drivers to activate transduction elements.
Stated Advantages
Improved phase resolution and near-zero phase shift distribution.
Improved closed-loop performance.
MRI-compatible implementation by minimizing conductive loops and materials.
Documented Applications
MRI-compatible implementation for ultrasonic systems using optical-fiber distribution and minimized conductive loops/materials.
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