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Updated: May 13, 2026
Wideband Optical Detector of Ultrasound for Medical Imaging Applications
Published on: May 11, 2014
A reconfigurable arbitrary waveform generator using PWM modulation for ultrasound research
Amauri A Assef1, Joaquim M Maia, Fábio K Schneider
1Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department and Graduate School of Electrical Engineering and Applied Computer Sciences (DAELT - DAELN - CPGEI), Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. amauriassef@utfpr.edu.br
Researchers developed a programmable digital transmit system using pulse-width modulation (PWM) for simultaneous arbitrary waveform generation in ultrasound research. This reconfigurable arbitrary waveform generator (RAWG) offers precise control over transmission parameters for advanced ultrasound imaging techniques.
Area of Science:
- Ultrasound imaging systems
- Digital signal processing
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- The digital transmit beamformer is crucial for ultrasound imaging but often inaccessible to researchers.
- A compact, programmable digital transmit system is needed for ultrasound research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reconfigurable arbitrary waveform generator (RAWG) for ultrasound research.
- To enable simultaneous arbitrary waveform generation with precise control over transmission parameters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a high-frequency pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme on a low-cost FPGA.
- Developed an 8-channel platform with independent control for waveform, amplitude apodization, phase angle, and time delay.
- Integrated an FPGA development board with an arbitrary waveform generator board and beamformer source drivers.
Main Results:
- Achieved arbitrary excitation waveforms with Gaussian and Tukey profiles using RC loads.
- Demonstrated a 160 MHz PWM carrier frequency with a 3.125 ns minimum time delay for electronic focusing and steering.
- Generated complex arbitrary pulses (100 Vpp, up to 20 MHz) with linear amplitude apodization and precise phase adjustment (7.5° resolution).
Conclusions:
- The proposed RAWG system effectively generates simultaneous arbitrary waveforms for ultrasound research.
- Provides extensive user control and direct digital access to transmission parameters.
- Facilitates exploration of novel ultrasound transmission techniques.
