Multi-Channel Signal-Generator ASIC for Acoustic Holograms

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Acoustic Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Acoustic holography requires precise control over phase patterns.
• Existing methods for generating dynamic phase patterns can be complex and costly.
• Integrated circuits offer a potential solution for compact and efficient phase control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for generating arbitrary, dynamic phase patterns.
• To demonstrate the ASIC's capability in acoustic hologram applications.
• To explore the integration of the ASIC with different ultrasonic transducers.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a CMOS ASIC with a cascadable 1x9 array of independently controlled signal generators.
• Individual phase control of square wave outputs for each channel.
• Driving a 6x6 air-coupled matrix array ultrasonic transducer and a 2x2 piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) array with the ASIC.
• Performing acoustic pressure mapping and particle manipulation experiments.

Main Results:

• The fabricated ASIC demonstrated individual phase control for nine output channels with 16 levels of phase resolution.
• The ASIC successfully drove both matrix array and PMUT ultrasonic transducers.
• Acoustic pressure mapping and particle manipulation were achieved, validating the system's functionality.
• The flexibility of the ASIC for integration with various transducers was confirmed.

Conclusions:

• The developed CMOS ASIC effectively generates dynamic phase patterns for acoustic holography.
• The ASIC is suitable for driving different types of ultrasonic transducers, including PMUTs.
• This technology holds potential for advanced acoustic manipulation and integrated ultrasonic systems.