Spatial correlation and coherence in reverberant acoustic fields: Extension to microphones with arbitrary first-order directivity

Spatial correlation and coherence functions in reverberant sound fields are relevant to the acoustics of enclosed spaces and related areas. Theoretical expressions for the spatial correlation and coherence functions between signals representing the pressure and/or the components of the particle velocity vector in a reverberant sound field are established in the literature and most of these have also been corroborated with measurements [F. Jacobsen, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 108, 204-210 (2000)]. In the present paper, these expressions are generalized to microphones of first-order directivity, whereby the directivity can be expressed in terms of pressure and pressure gradient. It is shown that the resulting spatial correlation and coherence functions can be expressed in terms of the established spatial correlation and coherence functions. The derived theoretical expression for the spatial coherence function is validated with a modeled diffuse sound field. Further, it is compared with the experimental coherence obtained from the reverberant tails of room impulse responses measured with two common surround sound microphone setups in a concert and a lecture hall.     

Modified synthetic transmit aperture algorithm for ultrasound imaging

The modified synthetic transmit aperture (STA) algorithm is described. The primary goal of this work was to assess the possibility to improve the image quality achievable using synthetic aperture (SA) approach and to evaluate the performance and the clinical applicability of the modified algorithm using phantoms. The modified algorithm is based on the coherent summation of back-scattered RF echo signals with weights calculated for each point in the image and for all possible combinations of the transmit-receive pairs. The weights are calculated using the angular directivity functions of the transmit-receive elements, which are approximated by a far-field radiation pattern of a narrow strip transducer element vibrating with uniform pressure amplitude over its width. In this way, the algorithm takes into account the finite aperture of each individual element in the imaging transducer array. The performance of the approach developed was tested using FIELD II simulated synthetic aperture data of the point reflectors, which allowed the visualization (penetration) depth and lateral resolution to be estimated. Also, both simulated and measured data of cyst phantom were used for qualitative assessment of the imaging contrast improvement. The experimental data were obtained using 128 elements, 4 MHz, linear transducer array of the Ultrasonix research platform. The comparison of the results obtained using the modified and conventional (unweighted) STA algorithms revealed that the modified STA exhibited an increase in the penetration depth accompanied by a minor, yet discernible upon the closer examination, degradation in lateral resolution, mainly in the proximity of the transducer aperture. Overall, however, a considerable (12 dB) improvement in the image quality, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the transducer’s surface was demonstrated. The modified STA method holds promise to be of clinical importance, especially in the applications where the quality of the “near-field” image, that is the image in the immediate vicinity of the scanhead is of critical importance such as for instance in skin- and breast-examinations.     

Estimated transmission beam pattern of clicks recorded from free-ranging white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

Recordings were made from white-beaked dolphins in Icelandic waters using a four-hydrophone array in a star configuration. The acoustic signals were amplified and sampled to a hard disk at a rate of 800 kHz per channel. The 3 and 10 dB beamwidths were calculated to be 8 degrees and 10 degrees, respectively, indicating a narrower transmission beam for white-beaked dolphins than that reported for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The beamwidth was more similar to that found for belugas (Delphinapterus lucas). The measured beam pattern included large side lobes, perhaps due to the inclusion of off-axis clicks, even after applying several criteria to select only on-axis clicks. The directivity index was calculated to be 18 dB when using all data for angles from 0 degrees-50 degrees. The calculated sound radiation from a circular piston with a radius of 6 cm driven by a white-beaked dolphin click had a beam pattern very similar to the measured beam pattern for the main transmission lobe of the white-beaked dolphin. The directivity index was 29 dB. This is the first attempt to estimate the directionality index of dolphins in the field.     

利用回波相干性的医学超声成像相位畸变校正方法

为了提高相位畸变条件下的医学超声成像的横向分辨率和对比度,提出了一种利用回波信号相干性的校正方法。首先给出平均相干系数的概念,并将其作为相位误差校正的度量,然后通过最大化平均相干系数逐步校正各个通道的延时误差,最后再利用经过校正的数据计算出一组新的相干系数并对回波信号进行加权优化,从而得到最终用于成像的数据。对点散射目标及斑散射目标的仿真结果分别显示,利用所提出的方法横向分辨率提高了约0.24 mm,对比度提高了约18 dB,且要优于邻近阵元互相关方法和相干系数直接加权的处理方法。利用回波相干性的相位畸变校正方法结合了相位误差校正和加权处理的优点,可以有效地改善医学超声成像的质量。      

球差透镜聚焦部分相干光束获得局域空心光束

基于Collins公式,研究了空间相干度为零阶贝塞耳函数的部分相干光通过球差透镜后在几何焦平面附近的光强分布情况.研究表明,通过改变部分相干光的光谱相干度,球差系数可以得到平顶光束和局域空心光束.球差系数决定了最佳聚焦点的位置.当球差系数为正时,最佳聚焦点随着球差系数的增大向远离透镜的方向运动,甚至超过几何焦点;当球差系数为负时,最佳聚焦点随着球差系数绝对值的增大向靠近透镜方向移动.另外,在正负球差绝对值相等时,光强分布以几何焦点相对称.     

Influence of component errors on the directivity function of pulsed, ultrasonographic linear arrays

The directivity of linear arrays can deteriorate by reason of component errors such as variations in the sensitivity of the array elements, and variations in the electronic delays applied to synthetic aperture focusing. A prototype 16 channel linear array system has been analysed by calculating the directivity functions corresponding to random-error ensembles in relation to sensitivity and delay. With state-of-the-art components, the main lobe of the directivity function is hardly influenced, but the tails of the function show stronger variation, and also become asymmetrical.     

水下应用的电容式微机械超声换能器阵列设计

为提高用于水下成像的电容式微机械超声换能器的指向性,文中用ANSYS力电耦合分析法设计了工作频率为400 k Hz的收发一体传感器的结构参数并完成了实验验证。同时研究了阵列设计方法,分析了电容式微机械超声换能器阵列各参数对指向性的影响,完成了从微小敏感单元到阵列的设计,实现了阵列指向性的优化设计。该阵列为16阵元的线阵,阵元间距为1.925 mm,阵元宽度为1.82 mm。进行了水下指向性测试,实验表明该线阵的-3 dB主瓣宽度为5?,最大旁瓣级为-13.5 dB,对称性好。该设计是实现较远距离的探测,提高成像分辨率的前提。     

4单元矩形径向线螺旋阵列天线的理论分析和数值模拟

 提出了一种便于组合的矩形径向线螺旋阵列天线。介绍了该矩形阵列天线的提出背景以及工作原理，分析了L型电磁组合探针的耦合特性，设计并数值模拟了中心频率为4.0 GHz的4单元矩形径向线螺旋阵列天线。模拟结果表明：该天线易于实现单元天线激励幅度和相位的均匀性及其随频率变化的平坦性。该口径为90 mm×90 mm 的天线在中心频率4.0 GHz 下，方向性系数为12.57 dB，轴向轴比值1.55；在3.60～4.05 GHz的频率范围内方向性系数大于11.6 dB，轴比小于1.55，反射系数小于0.2。     

具有大指向性开角及高发射电压响应的发射换能器

应用复合变幅杆及夹心式换能器结构,研制了一种指向性开角较大且发射电压响应较高的发射换能器。应用有限元方法对换能器的工作频率,发射电压响应及指向性进行了理论计算。并与实验结果进行了比较,结果较吻合。本文研制的换能器工作频率为75.6kHz,发射电压响应级达到1 56dB(基准值1V/μPa),-3dB发射指向性开角100°     

A coherence-based phase aberration correction method in medical ultrasound

A coherence-based correction method was proposed in order to improve the lateral resolution and enhance the contrast of medical ultrasound imaging in the presence of phase aberration.The averaged coherence factor was proposed at first and used as a metric to evaluate phase aberration correction.By maximizing the averaged coherence factor,the time delay parameter of each channel was adjusted.A new set of coherence factors was calculated and the corrected data was optimized to form the final B-mode image.The simulations on point targets and a cyst phantom showed that the proposed method outperformed the nearest neighboring cross correlation method and conventional coherence-weighting method,and the lateral resolution and contrast ratio was improved by approximately 0.24mm and 18dB respectively.The proposed method combined the advantages of phase error correction and coherence-weighting,which could improve imaging qualities effectively in medical ultrasound.     

Log-periodic optical antennas with broadband directivity

Optical antennas offer unique possibilities for light manipulation on a sub-wavelength scale. Here, we study log-periodic antennas that exhibit broadband directivity as a result of the self-similar relation between the lengths, separations and widths of the elements. We show through numerical simulations that the log-periodic designs have a considerable potential for improvement of both directivity and operation bandwidth over classical Yagi–Uda designs. Moreover, the directivity is more robust against changes in the location of the source or detector at different antenna elements. We systematically study the influence of geometrical parameters on angular performance and local field enhancement to arrive at optimum values. Next, we demonstrate that introducing a gap in the dipole array architecture can provide at least a ten-fold enhancement of the emitted power. Finally we present an optical zigzag antenna capable of both broader spectral response and even higher directivity.     

Monaural and binaural hearing directivity in the bottlenose dolphin: evoked-potential study

Hearing thresholds as a function of sound-source azimuth were measured in bottlenose dolphins using an auditory evoked potential (AEP) technique. AEP recording from a region next to the ear allowed recording monaural responses. Thus, a monaural directivity diagram (a threshold-vs-azimuth function) was obtained. For comparison, binaural AEP components were recorded from the vertex to get standard binaural directivity diagrams. Both monaural and binaural diagrams were obtained at frequencies ranging from 8 to 128 kHz in quarter-octave steps. At all frequencies, the monaural diagram demonstrated asymmetry manifesting itself as: (1) lower thresholds at the ipsilateral azimuth as compared to the symmetrical contralateral azimuth and (2) ipsilateral shift of the lowest-threshold point. The directivity index increased with frequency: at the ipsilateral side it rose from 4.7 to 17.8 dB from 11.2 to 128 kHz, and from 10.5 to 15.6 dB at the contralateral side. The lowest-threshold azimuth shifted from 0 degrees at 90-128 kHz to 22.5 degrees at 8-11.2 kHz. The frequency-dependent variation of the lowest-threshold azimuth indicates the presence of two sound-receiving apertures at each head side: a high-frequency aperture with the axis directed frontally, and a low-frequency aperture with the axis directed laterally.     

Optical system design with conformal decentered and tilted elements

We investigate the aberration properties of the conformal optical system with decentered and tilted elements by vector aberration theory.By decentering and tilting the window and corrector of the system,two elements are effectively used together in a particular manner by aberration compensation to achieve off-axis imaging.A conceptual design is performed with a half-field of 2° ,the F# of 4,and the wavelength ranging of 3700-4800 nm.The imaging quality can reach the optical diffraction limit and satisfy corresponding requirements.     

Simulation of ultrasonic focus aberration and correction through human tissue

Ultrasonic focusing in two dimensions has been investigated by calculating the propagation of ultrasonic pulses through cross-sectional models of human abdominal wall and breast. Propagation calculations used a full-wave k-space method that accounts for spatial variations in density, sound speed, and frequency-dependent absorption and includes perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary conditions. To obtain a distorted receive wavefront, propagation from a point source through the tissue path was computed. Receive focusing used an angular spectrum method. Transmit focusing was accomplished by propagating a pressure wavefront from a virtual array through the tissue path. As well as uncompensated focusing, focusing that employed time-shift compensation and time-shift compensation after backpropagation was investigated in both transmit and receive and time reversal was investigated for transmit focusing in addition. The results indicate, consistent with measurements, that breast causes greater focus degradation than abdominal wall. The investigated compensation methods corrected the receive focus better than the transmit focus. Time-shift compensation after backpropagation improved the focus from that obtained using time-shift compensation alone but the improvement was less in transmit focusing than in receive focusing. Transmit focusing by time reversal resulted in lower sidelobes but larger mainlobes than the other investigated transmit focus compensation methods.     

Performance of a low-frequency,multi-resonant broadband Tonpilz transducer

The underwater performance of a high-power multi-resonant Tonpilz transducer with a nearly flat frequency response and a power handling capability of 2 kW (peak) is reported here. A maximum transmitting voltage response (TVR) value of 156 dB re: 1 microPa/V at 1 m has been achieved at 3 kHz with a specially designed matching coil. A maximum receiving sensitivity (RS) of -164 dB re: 1 V/microPa at 3 kHz has been measured without using a matching coil. The horizontal half-power beam width of the transducer at 4 kHz is 101 degrees with a directivity index of 4 dB. This transmitter can be used for oceanographic applications such as subbottom profiling as well as long-range underwater communication.     

高频宽带嵌套式复合材料换能器

研制了一种嵌套式高频宽带复合材料换能器,利用1-3型压电复合材料Q值较低、频带较宽的特点,采用组合式的结构拓展换能器的工作带宽。通过切割框型压电陶瓷、灌注环氧树脂得到压电复合材料框型敏感元件,再将不同厚度的框型敏感元件沿轴向嵌套从而制成多层嵌套的压电复合材料敏感元件。建立1-3型压电复合材料中压电小柱的等效电路,根据等效电路计算出压电小柱的谐振频率,并与1-3型压电复合材料的谐振频率理论计算结果进行对比。通过ANSYS软件对敏感元件结构进行仿真,并根据仿真结果确定了敏感元件的最佳设计方案。最终制作出的换能器进行水下测试,该换能器的谐振频率为310 kHz,最大发送电压响应为188.5 dB,-3 d B带宽可达130 kHz,接收灵敏度最大可达-186.8 dB,-3 dB带宽可达90 kHz,谐振频率处-3 d B的指向性开角约为2.4°。该嵌套式敏感元件可实现换能器宽带发射与接收声波的目标。     

非球面数字波面检测技术

提出了一种快速检测浅度非球面（非球面度小于0.01 mm）的方法,该方法无需补偿器或其他辅助光学元件进行零位补偿。用移相干涉仪直接测量正轴或离轴的浅度凹非球面,剔除平移、倾斜、失焦等调整误差后,得到实际被测镜面的面形分布数据;根据正轴或离轴的浅度凹非球面矢高方程计算理想非球面的面形分布数据,得到理论波面数据,用实测的面形分布数据减去理论的面形分布数据即可得到被检非球面的剩余波像差,即面形误差。利用该方法测量了一口径为135 mm的双曲面,并用零位补偿法加以验证。两种方法的检测结果精度相当,说明数字波面法可实际应用于正轴或离轴的浅度凹非球面的检测。     

Real-time quadrature projection complex conjugate resolved Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

We present a novel algorithm for full-range imaging by suppression of the complex conjugate artifact in phase-shifting Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. This technique utilizes the projection of multiple phase-shifted interferograms onto an orthogonal basis set to reconstruct the complex interferogram. Full-range imaging with >30 dB suppression of the symmetric artifact is demonstrated using a 3 x 3 fiber coupler swept source OCT system, providing a depth range of 6.6mm with -8 dB roll-off in sensitivity at the depth boundaries relative to DC. Real-time display of full-range images of the anterior segment of the human eye acquired in vivo at a line rate of 6.67 kHz are presented.     

大角度波束扫描的宽带平面阵研究

本文中介绍了一个可以实现大角度波束扫描的宽带平面声基阵,设计了纵向振动与换能器前盖板弯曲振动相复合的宽带换能器作为基元,保证了基阵具有较好的宽带性能。针对基元的自然指向性难以满足平面阵进行大角度波束扫描的要求,本文中采用通道型橡胶反声障板技术来拓宽阵上换能器的单元指向性,从而实现平面声基阵的大角度、宽带波束扫描。在有限元和边界元进行优化设计的基础上,制作了实验样阵。测试数据表明:在工作频段内换能器响应起伏不超过3 dB,12 kHz时阵上基元指向性达到了140°,基阵-3 dB波束覆盖范围可以达到144.4°,最大旁瓣不超过30%。     

离轴三镜系统光学元件间补偿关系研究

分析了离轴三镜系统中光学元件调整变量间的补偿关系和面形误差与调整变量间的补偿关系.调整变量中偏心变量和倾斜变量的位置失调常常会产生同种像差,存在一定的相关性.从失调像差理论出发,通过平衡偏心变量和倾斜变量产生的初级像差,得到偏心变量和倾斜变量间的补偿关系.利用Zernike多项式模拟面形误差,建立面形误差与初级像差的关系,使面形误差与调整变量联系起来.通过计算机模拟,给定光学元件一定的面形误差,然后调整光学元件的偏心、倾斜和横向位移进行补偿,发现当次镜带有1λ像散的面形误差时,补偿后系统波前误差只下降了0.01λ RMS.