Modeling of phased array transducers

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Ultrasonic Transducer Technology
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Phased array transducers offer mechanical-free beam steering and focusing via time delays.
• Conventional transducer modeling often assumes simultaneous element excitation.
• Understanding multi-transducer interactions is crucial for accurate acoustic field prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To model the ultrasonic field generated by a single phased array transducer using the distributed point source method (DPSM).
• To investigate the interaction effects between two phased array transducers in a homogeneous fluid medium.
• To emphasize the significance of interaction effects in multi-transducer systems.

Main Methods:

• Semi-analytical modeling of phased array transducers by combining delayed firing concepts with the DPSM.
• Simulation of ultrasonic fields for both single and dual transducer configurations.
• Analysis of acoustic field interactions in a fluid medium.

Main Results:

• The DPSM successfully models ultrasonic fields from phased array transducers.
• Interaction effects between adjacent transducers were studied.
• Neighboring transducers were identified as both wave generators and scatterers.

Conclusions:

• The DPSM provides a robust method for modeling phased array ultrasonic fields.
• Interaction effects are significant and must be considered in multi-transducer modeling.
• Phased array transducer elements influence each other's acoustic behavior, acting as scatterers.