Open-Source FPGA Coprocessor for the Doppler Emulation of Moving Fluids

Area of Science:

• Embedded Systems Engineering
• Biomedical Signal Processing
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Embedded systems are increasingly capable of complex computations, often utilizing specialized coprocessors.
• Current methods for testing Doppler ultrasound systems, such as flow-rigs, are often complex and lack accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an open-source coprocessor for real-time synthetic ultrasound echo generation.
• To demonstrate its integration into an embedded system for simulating fluid flow.
• To provide a more accurate and efficient alternative for Doppler ultrasound system testing.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a dedicated coprocessor on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
• Integration of the coprocessor into a broader embedded system architecture.
• Development of standard interfaces for system integration.

Main Results:

• The coprocessor successfully generates synthetic signals mimicking ultrasound echoes from moving fluids.
• Experimental validation confirmed its capability to emulate fluid flow in a pipe for echographic Doppler systems.
• The embedded system demonstrated a viable replacement for traditional flow-rigs.

Conclusions:

• The developed open-source coprocessor provides a powerful tool for the real-time simulation of ultrasound-based fluid flow measurements.
• This FPGA-based solution enhances the accuracy and efficiency of testing Doppler ultrasound systems.
• The system offers a significant advancement for laboratory testing in ultrasound research and development.