Volumetric imaging with an amplitude-steered array

Volumetric acoustic imaging is desirable for the visualization of underwater objects and structures; however, the implementation of a volumetric imaging system is difficult due to the high channel count of a fully populated two-dimensional array. Recently, a linear amplitude-steered array with a reduced electronics requirement was presented, which is capable of collecting a two-dimensional set of data with a single transmit pulse. In this study, we demonstrate the use of the linear amplitude-steered array and associated image formation algorithms for collecting and displaying volumetric data; that is, proof of principle of the amplitude-steering concept and the associated image formation algorithms is demonstrated. Range and vertical position are obtained by taking advantage of the frequency separation of a vertical linear amplitude-steered array. The third dimension of data is obtained by rotating the array such that the mainlobe is mechanically steered in azimuth. Data are collected in a water tank at the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory for two targets: a ladder and three pipes. These data are the first experimental data collected with an amplitude-steered array for the purposes of imaging. The array is 10 cm in diameter and is operated in the frequency range of 80 to 304 kHz. Although the array is small for high-resolution imaging at these frequencies, the rungs of the ladder are recognizable in the images. The three pipes are difficult to discern in two of the projection images; however, the pipes separated in range are clear in the image showing vertical position versus range. The imaging concept is demonstrated on measured data, and the simulations agree well with the experimental results.     

高频线阵的研制

本文描述了一种用于侧扫声纳的高频线列阵，该阵由中心频率分别为１００ＫＨｚ和５００ＫＨｚ的两部分构成。由于采用阵元加权排列和充分利用有效工作面积，该阵具有尖锐的主瓣，较高的主、副瓣比和较高的发射、接受灵敏度（１００ＫＨｚ时分别为１７４ｄＢ，５００ＫＨｚ时分另为１７４ｄＢ、－１８３ｄＢ），技术指标达到国外同类高频线阵的水平。满足侧扫声呐的尖波束、低副瓣、大功率、高灵敏度，深水（１００ｍ）使用的要求，本     

Acoustic imaging using a volumetric array

A method is described for producing images of acoustic sources using a volumetric array. Theoretical results are presented and compared to those obtained experimentally from an acoustic 64 element random spherical volumetric array. Application areas for such a system include auditorium characterisation, recording studio optimisation and covert surveillance operations.     

Development of a 64 channel ultrasonic high frequency linear array imaging system

In order to improve the lateral resolution and extend the field of view of a previously reported 48 element 30 MHz ultrasound linear array and 16-channel digital imaging system, the development of a 256 element 30 MHz linear array and an ultrasound imaging system with increased channel count has been undertaken. This paper reports the design and testing of a 64 channel digital imaging system which consists of an analog front-end pulser/receiver, 64 channels of Time-Gain Compensation (TGC), 64 channels of high-speed digitizer as well as a beamformer. A Personal Computer (PC) is used as the user interface to display real-time images. This system is designed as a platform for the purpose of testing the performance of high frequency linear arrays that have been developed in house. Therefore conventional approaches were taken it its implementation. Flexibility and ease of use are of primary concern whereas consideration of cost-effectiveness and novelty in design are only secondary. Even so, there are many issues at higher frequencies but do not exist at lower frequencies need to be solved. The system provides 64 channels of excitation pulsers while receiving simultaneously at a 20–120 MHz sampling rate to 12-bits. The digitized data from all channels are first fed through Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and then stored in memories. These raw data are accessed by the beamforming processor to re-build the image or to be downloaded to the PC for further processing. The beamformer that applies delays to the echoes of each channel is implemented with the strategy that combines coarse (8.3 ns) and fine delays (2 ns). The coarse delays are integer multiples of the sampling clock rate and are achieved by controlling the write enable pin of the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) memory to obtain valid beamforming data. The fine delays are accomplished with interpolation filters. This system is capable of achieving a maximum frame rate of 50 frames per second. Wire phantom images acquired with this system show a spatial resolution of 146 μm (lateral) and 54 μm (axial). Images with excised rabbit and pig eyeball as well as mouse embryo were also acquired to demonstrate its imaging capability.     

实时激光三维成像焦平面阵列研究进展

研究了应用于实时激光三维成像的焦平面阵列技术,介绍了目前国际上几种常用的焦平面阵列实现原理与技术特点,并对其优点与不足进行了分析,同时对表征焦平面阵列的主要性能指标以及其对最终成像系统的影响进行了定性分析。根据对现有技术的对比分析,提出基于雪崩光电二极管（APD）阵列和读出电路（ROIC）集成的探测器方案在灵敏度和作用距离等方面具有一定优势,是实现实时三维成像焦平面阵列较为理想的技术。作者认为在未来十几年内,激光三维成像焦平面阵列规模有望超过1 024 pixel×1 024 pixel,像元尺寸可降低到15μm。     

Bipolar-power-transistor-based limiter for high frequency ultrasound imaging systems

High performance limiters are described in this paper for applications in high frequency ultrasound imaging systems. Limiters protect the ultrasound receiver from the high voltage (HV) spikes produced by the transmitter. We present a new bipolar power transistor (BPT) configuration and compare its design and performance to a diode limiter used in traditional ultrasound research and one commercially available limiter. Limiter performance depends greatly on the insertion loss (IL), total harmonic distortion (THD) and response time (RT), each of which will be evaluated in all the limiters. The results indicated that, compared with commercial limiter, BPT-based limiter had less IL (−7.7 dB), THD (−74.6 dB) and lower RT (43 ns) at 100 MHz. To evaluate the capability of these limiters, they were connected to a 100 MHz single element transducer and a two-way pulse-echo test was performed. It was found that the −6 dB bandwidth and sensitivity of the transducer using BPT-based limiter were better than those of the commercial limiter by 22% and 140%, respectively. Compared to the commercial limiter, BPT-based limiter is shown to be capable of minimizing signal attenuation, RT and THD at high frequencies and is thus suited for high frequency ultrasound applications.     

New concedpts for high frequency and high power frequency multipliers and their impact on quasi-optical monolithic array design

Varactors have been extensively employed for harmonic generation, where high cut-off frequency is dependent upon small C _min , which is typically achieved using small device active area. However, small area limits the output power. Furthermore, the power and frequency dependences of the series resistance in the epitaxial region degrade the efficiency and cut-off frequency as well. As a result, currently utilized varactors are only officient for relatively low power generation and limited output frequency. Herein, we describe our new approach where by epitaxially stacking single quantum barrier structures, more than an order of magnitude improvement in cut-off frequency and power handling ability may be possible. Alternatively, by combining a Schottky barrier with stacked single quantum barriers, superior performance can also be achieved. These concepts can be readily employed for quasi-optical frequency multiplier arrays, and appear to result in simplified fabrication compared to other devices.The design of high performance quasi optical arrays requires optimization of the passive (metalization) grid as well as the embedded semiconductor devices. Recent work has resulted in an improved impedance model for the standard diode-loaded strip array, including a quantitative estimate of the shunt capacitance introduced across the diode by the discontinuity of the metal strip at the diode site (gap). The value of this capacitance exceeds the predictedC _min for these new devices. We discuss two grid design approaches that can suppress this capacitance.     

传声器阵列对高频弱声源的声成像识别方法

研究了传声器阵列对高频弱声源的识别定位方法。该方法根据高频声源的指向性和阵列探测特性等特点,提出了利用信噪比加权方法提高有效阵元对声成像的贡献,根据信噪比的大小对每个阵元添加不同的权值,可以显著提高传声器阵列对高频弱声源的声像清晰度。仿真分析了阵元加权和不加权两种方法对阵列声成像结果的影响,以某型号笔记本电脑电路板噪声为对象进行的实验表明,在阵列测量中充分利用有效阵元信号可以实现对声压级低达10~20 dB的微弱噪声源的精确测量。     

传声器阵列对高频弱声源的声成像识别方法

研究了传声器阵列对高频弱声源的识别定位方法。该方法根据高频声源的指向性和阵列探测特性等特点,提出了利用信噪比加权方法提高有效阵元对声成像的贡献,根据信噪比的大小对每个阵元添加不同的权值,可以显著提高传声器阵列对高频弱声源的声像清晰度。仿真分析了阵元加权和不加权两种方法对阵列声成像结果的影响,以某型号笔记本电脑电路板噪声为对象进行的实验表明,在阵列测量中充分利用有效阵元信号可以实现对声压级低达10~20dB的微弱噪声源的精确测量。     

离体猪淋巴结组织的高频成像研究

用C扫的超声显微镜系统对猪的淋巴结组织进行了研究,得到了猪的正常淋巴结和出血性淋巴结组织的高频超声图像和声参量值,结果表明:高频超声图像能反映组织结构的变化;猪的出血性淋巴结组织的声散射系数比正常淋巴结组织的小,且随频率的变化而变化,背向散射技术是在高频段进行组织定征的有效手段。     

Estimation methods for flow imaging with high frequency ultrasound

This article proposes to estimate slow blood flow with high frequency ultrasound imaging. The proposed technique combines 2 methods. First, a statistical method, called Speckle Flow Imaging (SFI) based on the analysis of changes in the speckle pattern along time, gives an index directly related to the total velocity vector. Secondly, a block matching approach estimates the in-plane velocity components. Results on calibrated flow sequences of blood mimicking fluid have shown good agreement with the statistical model. The quantification of flow is achieved with pulsed flow and is also angle independent when the flow is perpendicular to the ultrasound beam. Speckle Tracking has been evaluated on the same data and has shown good estimation of the in-plane velocity vector when the component of velocity perpendicular to the imaging plane is inferior to 1mm/s. The results of these two methods permit the evaluation of the total 3D velocity field and the orthogonal velocity component relative to the imaging plane. This allows the quantification of blood flow (volumetric per time unit across the sequence).     

A four-element phased array coil for high resolution and parallel MR imaging of the knee

A four-element phased array coil for MR imaging of the knee was designed, built and tested for clinical use at 1.5 Tesla. In routine imaging, it provides over twofold increase in signal-to-noise (SNR) compared to two commercially available knee coils, and supports higher spatial image resolution. The phased array knee coil was also tested for its compatibility with parallel MR imaging that reduces imaging time by several folds over conventional MR technique. Results obtained using SiMultaneous Acquisition of Spatial Harmonics (SMASH) technique shows that our phased array knee coil can be used with parallel MR imaging. These improvements may enhance knee diagnosis with higher image quality and reduced scan time.     

A phased array echoplanar imaging system for fMRI

A fully parallel, simultaneous sampling phased array receiver system for a clinical echoplanar imaging system is described and evaluated for BOLD activation and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) experiments. A 4-coil array curved around the occipital lobe improved SNR by factors of 1.5 in the visual cortex and 3.1 in the visual association cortex relative to a 13-cm diameter surface coil, improving the statistical significance and coverage of visual activation maps. A 4-coil bilateral array increased SNR throughout the head relative to a quadrature head coil by up to a factor of 5 in much of the cortex, with proportional improvement in the SNR of rCBV maps.     

Directional blood flow imaging in volumetric optical microangiography achieved by digital frequency modulation

An effective digital frequency modulation approach to achieve directional blood flow imaging within microcirculations in tissue beds in vivo for optical microangiography is presented. The method only requires the system to capture one three-dimensional data set within which the interferograms are modulated by a constant frequency modulation that gives one directional flow information. The result is that the imaging speed is doubled and the computational load is halved. The method is experimentally validated by a flow phantom and is tested for imaging of cerebral vascular blood perfusion in a live mouse with the cranium left intact.     

Cellular resolution optical coherence microscopy with high acquisition speed for in-vivo human skin volumetric imaging

In this Letter, we report for the first time (to our knowledge) in-vivo volumetric optical coherence microscopy images of skin epidermal cells. We achieved micrometer-class resolution, 2 μm laterally and axially, with an acquisition speed of 23 K A-scans/s and over 90 dB sensitivity to a depth of 1 mm by employing a custom, liquid-lens-based, dynamic-focusing objective, a broadband light source, and a custom, astigmatism-corrected Czerny-Turner spectrometer with a high-speed complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor camera.     

A simulation method of aircraft plumes for real-time imaging

Real-time infrared simulation technology can provide a large number of infrared images under different conditions to support the design, test and evaluation of a system having infrared imaging equipment with very low costs. By synthesizing heat transfer, infrared physics, fluid mechanics and computer graphics, a real-time infrared simulation method is proposed based on the method of characteristics to predict the infrared feature of aircraft plumes, which tries to obtain a good balance between simulation precision and computation efficiency. The temperature and pressure distribution in the under-expansion status can be rapidly solved with dynamically changing flight statuses and engine working states. And a modified C–G (Curtis–Godson) spectral band model that combines the plume streamlines with the conventional C–G spectral band model was implemented to calculate the non-uniformly distributed radiation parameters inside a plume field. The simulation result was analyzed and compared with the CFD++, which validates the credibility and efficiency of the proposed simulation method.     

The focus steering for high intensity focused ultrasound phased array based on real-time phase shift calculation

When time reversal technique is used in phased array high intensity focused ultrasound system to obtain self-adaptive focusing,it is needed to calculate the initial phases of the elements.Because of the frequency oscillation when the phase lock loop is initiated,different results are got in different segments using conventional methods.A method of calculating the phase difference was presented,that can display the changes of phase difference in real-time, and the steady phase differences can be regarded as the initial phases of the elements.The experimental results show that using the phase difference obtained by this method can get a better distribution of sound field in a certain spatial region.     

基于相位差实时计算法实现相控式高强度超声聚焦

利用时间反转法对相控阵高强聚焦超声系统进行自适应聚焦,需要计算出各阵元的初始发射相位。锁相环电路初始工作时频率有震荡,用常规计算相位差的方法当截取数据的时间段不同时计算出的相位差不相同。提出一种计算相位差的方法,可以实时显示相位差的变化,将稳定后的相位差作为相控阵聚焦系统各发射阵元的初始相位。实验结果表明,用此方法计算的相位差进行聚焦可以在一定空间范围内得到较好的声场分布。     

高频高灵敏光声探头的光声内窥成像

光声内窥成像技术具有高分辨、高精准、功能成像等优点,是目前临床新型成像诊断技术研究的热点。然而,光声内窥成像技术受激光器安全能量阈值和光声换能器灵敏度的制约,现有的光声内窥成像技术大多无法兼顾高成像信噪比和小尺寸要求。为了解决光声信号回波能量低、光声图像信噪比差的问题,该文采用一种带有集成前端放大器的小尺寸的光声探头设计方案,其中心频率达到30 MHz,直径小于2.5 mm,通过仿体实验证明其仿体中的成像深度可达6.5 mm,横向成像分辨率可达144.9μm,纵向分辨率为111.1μm,尤其是,成像信噪比相较于对照组的传统光声换能器提高了11.5 dB。该文研究表明,前端集成放大光声探头能有效提高光声成像信噪比,改善成像质量,为提高光声内窥临床诊断精准度提供了新方法。     

多束高重复频率全光纤激光脉冲时间波形实时精密测量技术

提出了一种基于时分复用的多束高重复频率全光纤激光脉冲时间波形实时精密测量技术,针对分类成组的多束高重复频率全光纤激光系统不同测量功能需求,分别设计了18时分复用器、不同延时量的12时分复用器,实现了48路、144个1 kHz光纤激光整形脉冲时间波形宽度、上升沿、面积等关键参数的精密测量,同时实现了多束高重复频率全光纤脉冲激光系统运行状态的实时监测。