Accurate step-FMCW ultrasound ranging and comparison with pulse-echo signaling methods

Shyam Natarajan; Rahul S. Singh; Michael Lee; Brian P. Cox; Martin O. Culjat; Warren S. Grundfest M.D.; Hua Lee

doi:10.1117/12.845539

12 March 2010 Accurate step-FMCW ultrasound ranging and comparison with pulse-echo signaling methods

Shyam Natarajan, Rahul S. Singh, Michael Lee, Brian P. Cox, Martin O. Culjat, Warren S. Grundfest M.D., Hua Lee

Proceedings Volume 7629, Medical Imaging 2010: Ultrasonic Imaging, Tomography, and Therapy; 76290D (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845539
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper presents a method setup for high-frequency ultrasound ranging based on stepped frequency-modulated continuous waves (FMCW), potentially capable of producing a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared to traditional pulse-echo signaling. In current ultrasound systems, the use of higher frequencies (10-20 MHz) to enhance resolution lowers signal quality due to frequency-dependent attenuation. The proposed ultrasound signaling format, step-FMCW, is well-known in the radar community, and features lower peak power, wider dynamic range, lower noise figure and simpler electronics in comparison to pulse-echo systems. In pulse-echo ultrasound ranging, distances are calculated using the transmit times between a pulse and its subsequent echoes. In step-FMCW ultrasonic ranging, the phase and magnitude differences at stepped frequencies are used to sample the frequency domain. Thus, by taking the inverse Fourier transform, a comprehensive range profile is recovered that has increased immunity to noise over conventional ranging methods. Step-FMCW and pulse-echo waveforms were created using custom-built hardware consisting of an arbitrary waveform generator and dual-channel super heterodyne receiver, providing high SNR and in turn, accuracy in detection.

Citation Download Citation

Shyam Natarajan, Rahul S. Singh, Michael Lee, Brian P. Cox, Martin O. Culjat, Warren S. Grundfest M.D., and Hua Lee "Accurate step-FMCW ultrasound ranging and comparison with pulse-echo signaling methods", Proc. SPIE 7629, Medical Imaging 2010: Ultrasonic Imaging, Tomography, and Therapy, 76290D (12 March 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.845539

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