Transfer functions of US transducers for harmonic imaging and bubble responses

Current medical diagnostic echo systems are mostly using harmonic imaging. This means that a fundamental frequency (e.g., 2 MHz) is transmitted and the reflected and scattered higher harmonics (e.g., 4 and 6 MHz), produced by nonlinear propagation, are recorded. The signal level of these harmonics is usually low and a well-defined transfer function of the receiving transducer is required. Studying the acoustic response of a single contrast bubble, which has an amplitude in the order of a few Pascal, is another area where an optimal receive transfer function is important.

We have developed three methods to determine the absolute transfer function of a transducer. The first is based on a well-defined wave generated by a calibrated source in the far field. The receiving transducer receives the calibrated wave and from this the transfer functions can be calculated. The second and third methods are based on the reciprocity of the transducer. The second utilizes a calibrated hydrophone to measure the transmitted field. In the third method, a pulse is transmitted by the transducer, which impinges on a reflector and is received again by the same transducer. In both methods, the response combined with the transducer impedance and beam profiles enables the calculation of the transfer function.

The proposed methods are useful to select the optimal piezoelectric material (PZT, single crystal) for transducers used in reception only, such as in certain 3D scanning designs and superharmonic imaging, and for selected experiments like single bubble behavior.

We tested and compared these methods on two unfocused single element transducers, one commercially available (radius 6.35 mm, centre frequency 2.25 MHz) the other custom built (radius 0.75 mm, centre frequency 4.3 MHz). The methods were accurate to within 15%.     

The design of a high power ultrasonic test cell using finite element modelling techniques

This paper will describe the application of a finite element (FE) code to design a test cell, in which a single transducer is used to generate acoustic cavitation. The FE model comprises a 2-D slice through the centre of the test cell and was used to evaluate the generated pressure fields as a function of frequency. Importantly, the pressure fields predicted by FE modelling are used to indicate the position of pressure peaks, or 'hot-spots', and nulls enabling the systems design engineer to visualise both the potential cavitation areas, corresponding to the 'hot-spots', and areas of low acoustic pressure. Through this design process, a rectangular test cell was constructed from perspex for use with a 40 kHz Tonpilz transducer. A series of experimental measurements was conducted to evaluate the cavitation threshold as a function of temperature and viscosity/surface tension, for different fluid load media. The results indicate the potential of the FE design approach and assist the design engineer in understanding the influence of the fluid load medium on the cell's ability to produce a strong cavitation field.     

方位远探测声波测井仪接收声系实验研究

方位远探测声波测井仪接收声系中各通道接收换能器及相应采集电路的综合一致性极大地影响处理结果的精确度,必须测试并进行必要的校正。在实验室构建了接收声系测试系统,使用主频10 k Hz的单极子声源辐射声场,测量了阵列化声系中每个换能器单独正对单极声源时所有通道的采集波形,分析了波形的时域和频域特征,对声系站内、站间的各通道综合一致性进行了评价并给出接收通道一致性不好时的校正公式;对比了相控接收子阵与单个阵元的接收特性。实验结果表明,该声系各通道综合一致性较好,不需要校正;软件相控处理后,接收阵的能量比单个阵元强、指向性更好,有利于提高有用信号的信噪比和空间的探测分辨率。     

Cymbal piezoelectric composite underwater acoustic transducer

The working principle of Cymbal piezoelectric composite underwater acoustic transducer was studied in this paper. PZT-5A piezoelectric ceramic disk was used as piezoelectric phase and brass foil was used as end cap electrode of the Cymbal transducer. The silicon rubber was used as the insulated proof layer of the underwater acoustic transducer. The properties of this transducer used as hydrophone, such as operation frequency, free-field voltage receiving sensitivity and directivity, were investigated. Several kinds of prototype of this transducer were fabricated and the properties of this transducer used as hydrophone were tested. The results show that the properties of this transducer used as hydrophone depend on the dimensions of Cymbal transducer because the piezoelectric properties of this transducer are dependent on the dimensions of Cymbal transducer's end caps. The appropriate dimensions for getting higher free-field voltage receiving sensitivity with -184.7 dB were obtained.     

Higher mode sound transmission from a point source through a rectangular aperture

This paper considers the higher-order scattered and transmitted wave fields that result when an acoustic wave from a point source impinges at an arbitrary angle on a rectangular aperture in a rigid, thick wall. In this analysis, it is assumed that free field conditions exist on both sides of the aperture. Although the full scattered and transmitted pressure fields contain both modal sum and modal coupling effects, the modal coupling effects of the higher-order modes are ignored such that an approximate analytical solution to the uncoupled analysis can be utilized. Experiments have been undertaken to measure the sound pressure levels in the transmitted field that result when sound from a point source impinges on the opposite side of a rectangular aperture. Measurements were made with the source located at the required position to drive a particular in-aperture higher-order mode. The source was also located at positions that did not directly excite any in-aperture higher-order mode at a cut-on frequency. These results indicate that the approximate analysis developed here gives accurate solutions whether or not any mode of the aperture is driven at cut-on. Thus, the method can be used for any relative location of a source from a rectangular aperture of any dimensions.     

Ultrasound field estimation method using a secondary source-array numerically constructed from a limited number of pressure measurements

A new and faster method for the accurate estimation of acoustic fields of underwater ultrasonic transducers was developed, tested experimentally, and compared to previously reported methods. Using a limited number of pressure measurements close to the transducer's face, the method numerically constructs a virtual secondary source-array whose acoustic field is similar to the field generated by the actual transducer (primary source). The measured data are used to obtain the normal particle velocity on the surface of the virtual secondary source-array, which in turn permits the calculation of the forward propagating field using the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral. The method is novel in that it constructs a virtual secondary source-array, thus eliminating the problems associated with obtaining the excitation source of a real transducer; and it is faster because it uses finite differences instead of a matrix inversion to obtain the excitation source. Results showed that predicted ultrasound fields agreed quantitatively and qualitatively with measured fields for three commonly used transducer types: two planar radiators (one circular, 0.5 MHz, 1.9-cm diam.; and one square, 1 MHz, 1.2 cm on a side), and a sharply focused radiator (1.5 MHz, 10-cm diam., 10-cm radius of curvature). The agreements suggest that the secondary source-array method (SSAM) is applicable to a wide range of radiator sizes, shapes, and operating frequencies. The SSAM was also compared to these authors' previous equivalent phased array methods (EPAM) [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 102, 2734-2741 (1997); and Concentric ring equivalent phased array method (CREPAM), UFFC 46, 830-841 (1999)] which require matrix inversions. The SSAM proved to be much faster and equally or more nearly accurate than the previous methods.     

石英压电晶体在霍普金森压杆实验中的应用

 利用传统分离式霍普金森压杆（SHPB）对低密度、低波阻材料进行测试时,存在透射信号弱、试样在加载时间内难以达到受力变形均匀的不足。采用嵌入压电石英晶体技术测试微弱的透射信号,并监测试样两端应力平衡。实验测试了一种低密度聚氨酯泡沫,结果表明嵌入压电石英晶体技术可以大幅提高透射信号的幅值和信噪比,所测试的材料在应变率范围1 000~4 000 s^-1内应变率效应不明显。     

Characteristics of thermal acoustic radiation as a source of acoustic signals

A linear dependence of the output voltage of an acoustic thermometer on the temperature difference between the source and the piezoelectric transducer is demonstrated experimentally. The constant component of the output voltage is determined by the noise temperature of the receiving device. The main feature of the thermal acoustic radiation as a source of acoustic signals is that the signal is represented not by the total thermal radiation of the object, which is proportional to the absolute temperature of the latter, but by the part of this radiation that is proportional to the temperature difference between the object and the transducer.     

Pulse signal detection in a focal area of a convergent wave front

Diffraction effects, taking place during nonlinear transformations in inhomogeneous acoustic fields, are experimentally investigated. The case of a convergent spherical wave front propagating in a uniform nonlinear medium, detection of an acoustic field in a focus, and receiving of the detected signal in the region of the initial wave front aperture are considered. A spherical piezoceramic transducer is used in the experiments as a focusing device. Broad-angle “nonlinear scattering” signals have been recorded at the experimental facility where a pulsed mode of focused transducer operation in water is implemented. The dependence of the amplitude of the signal, detected in the focal area, and its shape on the scattering direction, as well as on the distance between the focus and the receiving point, are studied.     

Time reversal multiple-input/multiple-output acoustic communication enhanced by parallel interference cancellation

Multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) techniques can lead to significant improvements of underwater acoustic communication capabilities. In this paper, receivers based on time reversal processing are developed for high frequency underwater MIMO channels. Time reversal followed by a single channel decision feedback equalizer, aided by frequent channel updates, is used to compensate for the time-varying inter-symbol interference. A parallel interference cancellation method is incorporated to suppress the co-channel interference in the MIMO system. The receiver performance is demonstrated by a 2008 shallow water experiment in Kauai, Hawaii. In the experiment, high frequency MIMO signals centered at 16 kHz were transmitted every hour during a 35 h period from an 8-element source array to a wide aperture 16-element vertical receiving array at 4 km range. The interference cancellation method is shown to generate significant performance enhancement, on average 2-4 dB in the output signal-to-noise ratio per data stream, throughout the 35 h MIMO transmissions. Further, communication performance and achieved data rates exhibit significant changes over the 35 h period as a result of stratification of the water column.     

Design of ultrasonic wedge transducer

Cones and wedges inserted between an ultrasonic transducer and the specimen provide the transducer (circular or rectangular shape) with enhanced capability for point or line contact with the specimen. Such an arrangement is useful in that the transducer can be used for transmitting to and receiving from a point (or line) source, and that it can eliminate the undesirable aperture effect that makes the transducer blind to waves traveling in certain directions and those of certain frequencies. In this paper, a comprehensive numerical analysis based on a wave propagation model is carried out for the study of characteristics and parameters of cones and wedges influencing their performance. We study the effect of the dimensions, shape and aperture on the frequency response and the angle of incidence of the wave. For computational accuracy and efficiency, the boundary element method is used in the analysis.     

The application of laser reflective tomography in near-field measurements of ultrasonic transducers

With Laser Reflective Tomography（LRT）,the near fields of ultrasonic transducers were measured and analyzed.The principle of LRT measurement of ultrasonic field distribution was introduced and an experimental system was set up.Acoustic pressure of a multiple element piston transducer was measured by using of a laser vibrometer.Its distribution in amplitude and phase was obtained.The acoustic pressure in the same region was measured with a needle hydrophone to validate the LRT method.Furthermore,through reconstruction of acoustic fields,it indicated that LRT method is suitable for predicting the distribution on transducers＇surface and conditions of active elements.     

基于有限元的空耦超声相控阵Lamb波激发与检测

基于非接触式空气耦合超声换能器的无损检测技术在常规板材、纤维复合材料、层状结构材料、粘接界面等的检测中有了长足的发展。但是因为空气耦合超声本身的限制,对于如何提高空气声换能器的发射效率和接收灵敏度、提高检测中接收的信噪比成为这一领域的重要课题。因此有必要结合最新的信号处理技术探索新的无损检测形式。本文通过提出了基于电容式的空气声换能器阵列的构建和制作方法,应用有限元数值方法对一维线阵的空气声换能器阵列的动态偏转特性进行了模拟,并使用构建流固耦合模型对二维的空气声场及板材中的位移场进行计算。通过一维空气耦合相控阵的声束动态偏转激励了各向同性板中的Lamb波A₀ 和S₀模式,并进行了分析,验证了此模型可以进一步用于基于空气耦合相控阵激励的Lamb波的无损检测中。     

脉冲超声激励下SonoVue微泡的瞬态空化特性

将SonoVue微泡从临床疾病诊断拓展至治疗引起了诸多研究人员的兴趣。为了平衡治疗效率和生物安全性,深入理解声学参数和SonoVue微泡瞬态空化的关系至关重要。本研究自行制备仿体容器放置SonoVue微泡,使用1 MHz发射换能器激励其产生空化效应,另一个7.5 MHz的聚焦换能器接收声信号,经放大及高速数据采集后送上位机处理。通过深入分析信号的时频域特征,我们提出以宽带信号的能量及其随时间变化曲线的半高宽来表征瞬态空化的剂量(ICD)和相对持续时间(ICP),并确定:瞬态空化的发生和ICD依赖于峰值负声压,但ICP随峰值负声压的增加而减小;脉冲重复频率和脉冲持续时间都和ICD及ICP正相关;且脉冲持续时间的影响较大。这些结果有望为SonoVue微泡的治疗应用提供理论支持。      

偶极随钻声波测井声压和径向位移响应的差异*

声波测井仪接收到的电信号通常是多个压电片响应的叠加,它主要是由声压还是径向位移响应转化而来,或是两种响应兼有目前未有定论。该文通过实轴积分法和复变函数法计算并对比分析随钻声波测井的声压和径向位移场,发现这两种响应特性有着显著的差异。首先,软地层的偶极随钻测井时,声压信号包含钻铤波和舒尔特波两个波群,而径向位移信号仅有钻铤波波群;其次,单极声源情况下,声压和径向位移信号的钻铤波能量分别集中在钻铤内、外壁,而偶极情况恰好相反,可见,钻铤按照单极情况的分析结果进行刻槽后,高频时的拖尾现象会影响偶极信号中舒尔特波对横波速度的反演。因此,阐明两类信号的差异对横波速度的反演和钻铤波的压制都具有重要意义。     

磁致伸缩换能器辐射板形状对声场分布的影响

磁致伸缩换能器可作为热声制冷机的声源装置,辐射板的形状直接影响声压输出效率,从而影响制冷效果。为提高换能器工作效率、减小换能器体积,辐射板需在Terfenol-D棒的激励下产生大振幅、高频率的活塞振型。针对这一问题,应用ATILA软件分析了磁致伸缩换能器辐射板形状对谐振腔振动幅频特性的影响以及对谐振腔内声场分布的影响。结果表明:相同激励条件下,凹球面辐射板出现活塞振型时振幅最大,对应谐振腔中声压幅值最高;谐振腔端面形状为凹球面时,具有聚焦声压幅值的作用;端面形状为凹发射端-凸反射端组合的谐振腔内声压幅值最高。以上结论为合理设计辐射板、谐振腔两端面组合形状提供了参考。     

采用Helmholtz共鸣器与悬臂梁压电换能器的声能采集器研究

针对环境中广泛存在的声能,提出了一种采用Helmholtz共鸣器和悬臂梁压电换能器的声能采集器。Helmholtz共鸣器对入射声压进行放大,放大后的声压引起共鸣器弹性薄壁振动,薄壁的振动传递到压电换能器产生电能输出。建立了带弹性壁的立方形共鸣器的等效集中参数理论模型,并与压电换能器的机电特性结合,分析了声能采集器的声-机-电转换原理,研究了声压、声波频率和负载阻抗对输出功率的影响,研究结果为此类声能采集器的优化设计及工程应用提供了一种可行的方法。实验中,声源通过声波导管输出声能,当共鸣器管口处的声压级为94 dB时,系统实测最大输出功率达240μW。该采集器不仅可作为声能自供能采集器,还可在较远距离为低能耗电子装置进行有源声供能。      

Active noise control with linear control source and sensor arrays for a noise barrier

A study is conducted on minimizing the sum of the squared acoustic pressures with a linear array of control sources and a perpendicular linear array of error sensors, placed above the top of a noise barrier. Particular angular orientations, with respect to the center of the barrier top, and spacings of the linear arrays of control sources and error sensors result in moderate to significant additional reduction of the acoustic pressure in the shadow zone. Visual inspection of the sound pressure field, with and without active noise control, found that uniform and significant additional insertion loss can be generated near the barrier. Numerical simulations were conducted to test the proposed method. For separations between control sources and error sensors much less than a quarter wavelength of the primary noise disturbance, results show that the angular orientation, of the combined linear control source and sensor arrays, is a weak factor for acoustic pressure reduction in the shadow zone. Weak angle dependence serves as an advantage to the proposed method, which yields uniform performance for any angular orientation. An angular orientation involving the alignment of the furthest error sensor with the first diffracting edge of the barrier and the primary source was observed to perform well for a variety of frequencies, since the spacing between error sensors and between control sources is of the order of a quarter-wavelength. Improved noise control in the shadow zone of a barrier is achieved by the use of two control sources and angular orientation as mentioned above. Further spatial extension of the area of reduced acoustic pressure is possible by utilizing an increased number of control sources.     

Extension of the distributed point source method for ultrasonic field modeling

The distributed point source method (DPSM) was recently proposed for ultrasonic field modeling and other applications. This method uses distributed point sources, placed slightly behind transducer surface, to model the ultrasound field. The acoustic strength of each point source is obtained through matrix inversion that requires the number of target points on the transducer surface to be equal to the number of point sources. In this work, DPSM was extended and further developed to overcome the limitations of the original method and provide a solid mathematical explanation of the physical principle behind the method. With the extension, the acoustic strength of the point sources was calculated as the solution to the least squares minimization problem instead of using direct matrix inversion. As numerical examples, the ultrasound fields of circular and rectangular transducers were calculated using the extended and original DPSMs which were then systematically compared with the results calculated using the theoretical solution and the exact spatial impulse response method. The numerical results showed the extended method can model ultrasonic fields accurately without the scaling step required by the original method. The extended method has potential applications in ultrasonic field modeling, tissue characterization, nondestructive testing, and ultrasound system optimization.