The Experts below are selected from a list of 582 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Michiel A P Pertijs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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23 6 a 2pa hz transimpedance amplifier for miniature ultrasound probes with 36db continuous Time Gain Compensation
International Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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ISSCC - 23.6 A 2pA/√Hz Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes with 36dB Continuous-Time Gain Compensation
2020 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference - (ISSCC), 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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A Variable-Gain Low-Noise Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:This article presents a low-noise transimpedance amplifier (TIA) designed for miniature ultrasound probes. It provides continuously variable Gain to compensate for the Time-dependent attenuation of the received echo signal. This Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) compresses the echo-signal dynamic range (DR) while avoiding imaging artifacts associated with discrete Gain steps. Embedding the TGC function in the TIA reduces the output DR, saving power compared to prior solutions that apply TGC after the low-noise amplifier. The TIA employs a capacitive ladder feedback network and a current-steering circuit to obtain a linear-in-dB Gain range of 37 dB. A variable-Gain loop amplifier based on current-reuse stages maintains constant bandwidth in a power-efficient manner. The TIA has been integrated in a 64-channel ultrasound transceiver application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in a 180-nm BCDMOS process and occupies a die area of 0.12 mm2. It achieves a Gain error below ±1 dB and a 1.7 pA/ $\surd $ Hz noise floor and consumes 5.2 mW from a ±0.9 V supply. B-mode images of a tissue-mimicking phantom are presented that show the benefits of the TGC scheme.
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A 9-channel low-power receiver ASIC for 3D transesophageal echocardiography
2012 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, 2012Co-Authors: Sandra Blaak, C.t. Lancee, N. De Jong, Gerard C.m. Meijer, Zu-yao Chang, Christian Prins, Johannes G. Bosch, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:This paper presents a 9-channel low-power receiver ASIC dedicated to a matrix piezoelectric ultrasound transducer for 3D Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE). It consists of 9 low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), 9 Time-Gain-Compensation (TGC) amplifiers and a 9:1 micro-beamformer. A prototype ASIC has been implemented in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, with a core area of 0.98 mm × 1.7 mm. It is operated at a 3.3 V supply and consumes only 0.5 mW per channel. The measured channel-to-channel mismatch is within ±1 dB. Acoustic measurements proved the micro-beamforming function of the ASIC when processing real ultrasound signals from a 3 × 3 transducer array. These promising results show that this design, after layout optimization, is suitable to be scaled up to accommodate a full matrix transducer.
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Front-end receiver electronics for a matrix transducer for 3-D transesophageal echocardiography
IEEE transactions on ultrasonics ferroelectrics and frequency control, 2012Co-Authors: Sandra Blaak, Michiel A P Pertijs, C.t. Lancee, Zu-yao Chang, Christian Prins, Jiajian Yao, Johan G. Bosch, Nico De Jong, Gerard C.m. MeijerAbstract:There is a clear clinical need for creating 3-D images of the heart. One promising technique is the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). To enable 3-D TEE, we are developing a miniature ultrasound probe containing a matrix piezoelectric transducer with more than 2000 elements. Because a gastroscopic tube cannot accommodate the cables needed to connect all transducer elements directly to an imaging system, a major challenge is to locally reduce the number of channels, while maintaining a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. This can be achieved by using front-end receiver electronics bonded to the transducers to provide appropriate signal conditioning in the tip of the probe. This paper presents the design of such electronics, realizing Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) and micro-beamforming using simple, low-power circuits. Prototypes of TGC amplifiers and micro-beamforming cells have been fabricated in 0.35-μm CMOS technology. These prototype chips have been combined on a printed circuit board (PCB) to form an ultrasound-receiver system capable of reading and combining the signals of three transducer elements. Experimental results show that this design is a suitable candidate for 3-D TEE.
Zu-yao Chang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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23 6 a 2pa hz transimpedance amplifier for miniature ultrasound probes with 36db continuous Time Gain Compensation
International Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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ISSCC - 23.6 A 2pA/√Hz Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes with 36dB Continuous-Time Gain Compensation
2020 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference - (ISSCC), 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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A Variable-Gain Low-Noise Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:This article presents a low-noise transimpedance amplifier (TIA) designed for miniature ultrasound probes. It provides continuously variable Gain to compensate for the Time-dependent attenuation of the received echo signal. This Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) compresses the echo-signal dynamic range (DR) while avoiding imaging artifacts associated with discrete Gain steps. Embedding the TGC function in the TIA reduces the output DR, saving power compared to prior solutions that apply TGC after the low-noise amplifier. The TIA employs a capacitive ladder feedback network and a current-steering circuit to obtain a linear-in-dB Gain range of 37 dB. A variable-Gain loop amplifier based on current-reuse stages maintains constant bandwidth in a power-efficient manner. The TIA has been integrated in a 64-channel ultrasound transceiver application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in a 180-nm BCDMOS process and occupies a die area of 0.12 mm2. It achieves a Gain error below ±1 dB and a 1.7 pA/ $\surd $ Hz noise floor and consumes 5.2 mW from a ±0.9 V supply. B-mode images of a tissue-mimicking phantom are presented that show the benefits of the TGC scheme.
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A 9-channel low-power receiver ASIC for 3D transesophageal echocardiography
2012 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, 2012Co-Authors: Sandra Blaak, C.t. Lancee, N. De Jong, Gerard C.m. Meijer, Zu-yao Chang, Christian Prins, Johannes G. Bosch, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:This paper presents a 9-channel low-power receiver ASIC dedicated to a matrix piezoelectric ultrasound transducer for 3D Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE). It consists of 9 low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), 9 Time-Gain-Compensation (TGC) amplifiers and a 9:1 micro-beamformer. A prototype ASIC has been implemented in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, with a core area of 0.98 mm × 1.7 mm. It is operated at a 3.3 V supply and consumes only 0.5 mW per channel. The measured channel-to-channel mismatch is within ±1 dB. Acoustic measurements proved the micro-beamforming function of the ASIC when processing real ultrasound signals from a 3 × 3 transducer array. These promising results show that this design, after layout optimization, is suitable to be scaled up to accommodate a full matrix transducer.
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Front-end receiver electronics for a matrix transducer for 3-D transesophageal echocardiography
IEEE transactions on ultrasonics ferroelectrics and frequency control, 2012Co-Authors: Sandra Blaak, Michiel A P Pertijs, C.t. Lancee, Zu-yao Chang, Christian Prins, Jiajian Yao, Johan G. Bosch, Nico De Jong, Gerard C.m. MeijerAbstract:There is a clear clinical need for creating 3-D images of the heart. One promising technique is the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). To enable 3-D TEE, we are developing a miniature ultrasound probe containing a matrix piezoelectric transducer with more than 2000 elements. Because a gastroscopic tube cannot accommodate the cables needed to connect all transducer elements directly to an imaging system, a major challenge is to locally reduce the number of channels, while maintaining a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. This can be achieved by using front-end receiver electronics bonded to the transducers to provide appropriate signal conditioning in the tip of the probe. This paper presents the design of such electronics, realizing Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) and micro-beamforming using simple, low-power circuits. Prototypes of TGC amplifiers and micro-beamforming cells have been fabricated in 0.35-μm CMOS technology. These prototype chips have been combined on a printed circuit board (PCB) to form an ultrasound-receiver system capable of reading and combining the signals of three transducer elements. Experimental results show that this design is a suitable candidate for 3-D TEE.
Eunchul Kang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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23 6 a 2pa hz transimpedance amplifier for miniature ultrasound probes with 36db continuous Time Gain Compensation
International Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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ISSCC - 23.6 A 2pA/√Hz Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes with 36dB Continuous-Time Gain Compensation
2020 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference - (ISSCC), 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:Miniature ultrasound probes, such as the intra-cardiac echography (ICE) probe shown in Fig. 23.6.1, increasingly employ in-probe ASICs to interface with the elements of an ultrasound transducer array to improve signal quality and reduce cable count [1]–[4]. For each transducer element, such an ASIC contains a pulser that drives the element to generate a pressure wave, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the resulting echo signal, and a Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) circuit that compensates for the Time-varying echo-signal amplitude due to propagation attenuation of the acoustic wave. Without TGC, the first echoes, from shallow tissue, are much larger than later echoes from deeper tissue. The TGC circuit corrects for this, ideally by providing a Gain that increases exponentially with Time, thus reducing the dynamic range (DR) by as much as 40dB and strongly relaxing the requirements of subsequent blocks. In conventional ultrasound systems, TGC is typically performed after the LNA, implying that a power-hungry LNA is required that can handle the full DR of the echo signal [5], [6]. In recent in-probe ASICs, programmable-Gain LNAs have been employed that provide a step-wise TGC approximation [1]–[3]. While this saves power, the associated Gain-switching transients lead to imaging artefacts. In this paper, we present an LNA with a built-in continuous TGC function that mitigates this problem. The LNA is a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) optimized to amplify the signal current of a capacitive micro-machined ultrasound transducer (CMUT). We demonstrate its integration into a 64-channel ASIC for a CMUT-based ICE probe.
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A Variable-Gain Low-Noise Transimpedance Amplifier for Miniature Ultrasound Probes
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, 2020Co-Authors: Eunchul Kang, Mingliang Tan, Zu-yao Chang, Philippe Vince, Nicolas Senegond, Tony Mateo, Cyril Meynier, Michiel A P PertijsAbstract:This article presents a low-noise transimpedance amplifier (TIA) designed for miniature ultrasound probes. It provides continuously variable Gain to compensate for the Time-dependent attenuation of the received echo signal. This Time-Gain Compensation (TGC) compresses the echo-signal dynamic range (DR) while avoiding imaging artifacts associated with discrete Gain steps. Embedding the TGC function in the TIA reduces the output DR, saving power compared to prior solutions that apply TGC after the low-noise amplifier. The TIA employs a capacitive ladder feedback network and a current-steering circuit to obtain a linear-in-dB Gain range of 37 dB. A variable-Gain loop amplifier based on current-reuse stages maintains constant bandwidth in a power-efficient manner. The TIA has been integrated in a 64-channel ultrasound transceiver application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in a 180-nm BCDMOS process and occupies a die area of 0.12 mm2. It achieves a Gain error below ±1 dB and a 1.7 pA/ $\surd $ Hz noise floor and consumes 5.2 mW from a ±0.9 V supply. B-mode images of a tissue-mimicking phantom are presented that show the benefits of the TGC scheme.
S. Abouelkaram - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Application of a Max-Min algorithm on ultrasonic signals for tissue texture analysis
Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1992Co-Authors: P. Giat, Geneviève Berger, Pascal Laugier, S. AbouelkaramAbstract:In echographlc imaging, the texture of a lesion is expected to be correlated to the state of the tissue (normal or pathologic). In some cases, the texture is qualitatively described by the ultrasonographer. More quantitative approaches of texture estimation are needed in order to be operator-independent and to allow following-up of lesions. Such approaches have been introduced in the literature but one of the main problems encountered is to obtain tissue parameters independent on experimental conditions: ultrasonic field, Time Gain Compensation (T.G.C), tissue sample attenuation, size of the region of interest. The authors introduce a solution based on the Max-Min algorithm proposed by Mitchell for image analysis. They have shown that the estimated texture parameter is independent on Gain, T.G.C, attenuation and size of region of interest. They have also pointed out, through simulation studies, that the parameter depends on one important tissue feature: the number of scatterers with impulse length. This feature is modified in pathological conditions.
W. N. Mcdicken - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Adaptive Time Gain Compensation for ultrasonic imaging.
Ultrasound in medicine & biology, 1992Co-Authors: Stephen D. Pye, S.r. Wild, W. N. McdickenAbstract:Abstract The quality of ultrasonic images is often adversely affected by incorrect Time Gain Compensation (TGC) settings. TGC set up by the operator is inadequate for two reasons: firstly, one Gain function is unlikely to be appropriate for all the scan lines in an image and secondly, the operator may not have sufficient Time or experience to optimise it. Adaptive processing offers a solution to this problem; it has the potential both to improve image quality and to let the operators make more effective use of their Time. The literature concerned with adaptive TGC is briefly reviewed. A microcomputer-controlled system has been used to develop various algorithms for adaptive TGC. The algorithms operate in real-Time and have been tested using a grey-scale test object, and clinically in routine abdominal and obstetric scanning. The imaging characteristics of each algorithm are determined largely by the value of a parameter β, described in the text. It is concluded that adaptive TGC capable of applying a unique Gain function to each part of the image can consistently produce better images than a single Gain function set either automatically or manually.