A reconfigurable arbitrary waveform generator using PWM modulation for ultrasound research

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• 作者：Amauri A Assef (1)
  Joaquim M Maia (1)
  Fábio K Schneider (1)
  Vera LSN Button (2)
  Eduardo T Costa (2)
  
• 关键词：Ultrasound ; FPGA ; Arbitrary waveform generator ; Transmit beamformer
• 刊名：BioMedical Engineering OnLine
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：December 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：12
• 期：1
• 全文大小：650 KB
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• 作者单位：Amauri A Assef (1)
  Joaquim M Maia (1)
  Fábio K Schneider (1)
  Vera LSN Button (2)
  Eduardo T Costa (2)
  
  1. Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department and the Graduate School of Electrical Engineering and Applied Computer Sciences (DAELT -DAELN -CPGEI), Federal University of Technology -Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
  2. Biomedical Engineering Department of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEB/FEEC) and Biomedical Engineering Centre (CEB), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
  
• ISSN：1475-925X

文摘

Background In ultrasound imaging systems, the digital transmit beamformer is a critical module that generates accurate control over several transmission parameters. However, such transmit front-end module is not typically accessible to ultrasound researchers. To overcome this difficulty, we have been developing a compact and fully programmable digital transmit system using the pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique for generating simultaneous arbitrary waveforms, specifically designed for research purposes. Methods In this paper we present a reconfigurable arbitrary waveform generator (RAWG) for ultrasound research applications that exploits a high frequency PWM scheme implemented in a low-cost FPGA, taking advantage of its flexibility and parallel processing capability for independent controlling of multiple transmission parameters. The 8-channel platform consists of a FPGA-based development board including an USB 2.0 interface and an arbitrary waveform generator board with eight MD2130 beamformer source drivers for individual control of waveform, amplitude apodization, phase angle and time delay trigger. Results To evaluate the efficiency of our system, we used equivalent RC loads (1 kΩ and 220?pF) to produce arbitrary excitation waveforms with the Gaussian and Tukey profiles. The PWM carrier frequency was set at 160?MHz featuring high resolution while keeping a minimum time delay of 3.125?ns between pulses to enable the acoustic beam to be focused and/or steered electronically. Preliminary experimental results show that the RAWG can produce complex arbitrary pulses with amplitude over 100 Vpp and central frequency up to 20?MHz with satisfactory linearity of the amplitude apodization, as well as focusing phase adjustment capability with angular resolution of 7.5°. Conclusions The initial results of this study showed that the proposed research system is suitable for generating simultaneous arbitrary waveforms, providing extensive user control with direct digital access to the various transmission parameters needed to explore alternative ultrasound transmission techniques.