Multicore DSP-based Front-end board for a high channel, modular, ultrasound research system

In ultrasound (US) research, a key role is currently played by open platforms, i.e. flexible scanners with unlimited access to raw echo-data, which facilitate the implementation and experimental test of new echographic methods. The methods proposed by research laboratories are increasingly demanding in terms of computational power and number of transmit/receive channels necessary for a suitable control of US array probes. In this paper, the basic module of a new 256-channel open platform is described. Such module, called Front-end (FE) board, integrates all of the electronics to simultaneously control 32 probe elements. Each FE board hosts four analog front-end chips, two DSPs and one FPGA, and is connected to the other boards in a ring with total I/O bandwidth of 80 Gbit/s full-duplex.

[1]  Giovanni Magenes,et al.  A volumetric CMUT-based ultrasound imaging system simulator with integrated reception and μ-beamforming electronics models , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control.

[2]  P. Tortoli,et al.  Real-time base-band pulse compression imaging , 2013, 2013 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS).

[3]  Piero Tortoli,et al.  Real-time vector velocity assessment through multigate doppler and plane waves , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control.

[4]  J Bercoff,et al.  Ultrafast compound doppler imaging: providing full blood flow characterization , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[5]  J. M. Hansen,et al.  Compounding in synthetic aperture imaging , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[6]  P. Tortoli,et al.  An automatic angle tracking procedure for feasible vector Doppler blood velocity measurements. , 2010, Ultrasound in medicine & biology.

[7]  A. Dallai,et al.  Simultaneous measurement of wall shear stress and arterial distension in FMD studies , 2010, 2010 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium.

[8]  S.W. Smith,et al.  High-speed ultrasound volumetric imaging system. II. Parallel processing and image display , 1991, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.

[9]  A. Dallai,et al.  A novel DSP-based ultrasound research platform for development and test of new imaging and Doppler methods , 2010, 4th European Education and Research Conference (EDERC 2010).

[10]  O. Basset,et al.  Frequency-domain-based strain estimation and high-frame-rate imaging for quasi-static elastography , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control.