Abstract: A multi-channel LED driver for driving an LED fixture, wherein the multi-channel LED driver comprising a plurality of output channels, wherein each output channel is connectable to an LED or LED string of the LED fixture, the multi-channel LED driver comprising: a plurality of power converters, each power converter being associated with an output channel of the plurality of output channels, wherein each power converter comprises a switch, and wherein each power converter converts an input power at an input terminal to a current at a respective output channel of the multi-channel LED driver, a comparator configured to compare a current signal representing the current measured at an output channel by a current measurement element with a reference signal representing a current set point for the output channel, and wherein the comparator generates an output signal to control the switch of the power converter associated with the output channel, a controller arranged to determine successive, for each of the plur

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency-receiver (112; 216; 308; 404), the receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) being adapted to receive analog signals from at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (106; 200; 202; 300; 400; 402), the radio frequency receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) comprising: an analog-digital converter (118; 226) to convert the analog pre-amplified magnetic resonance signal into a digital signal, means (120; 230) for digital down converting the digital signal and a first communication interface (130; 252) adapted for transmitting the down converted digital signal via a communication link (e.g. wireless, optical or wire-bound).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system includes a wireless local coil which functions as a transmit only or a transmit and receive coil. The local coil includes an RF coil with a plurality of coil elements. A corresponding number of transmit amplifiers apply RF signals to the RF coil elements to transmit an RF signal. A peak power supply provides electrical power to the transmit amplifiers to transmit relatively high power RF pulses. A trickle charging device recharges the peak power supply between RF pulses front a local coil power supply. A power transfer device wirelessly transfers power to a coil power supply recharging device which recharges the local coil power supply.

Abstract: A data rate controlling feedback loop evaluates an actual instantaneous available quality of service of a communication link for transmitting data and controls the data rate based on an evaluation result, Feedback control may both be local to a device for acquiring examination data, such as a magnetic resonance imaging coil, or over the communication link by reducing the data rate at least momentarily to fit the communication link's performance over time, enabling a graceful degradation of an image quality at lower data rates.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for uni- or bidirectional wireless communication of signals or data especially in a reflective environment like a MR imaging system, between at least one first transmitter and/or receiver unit (501, 601, 701; T/R1) and at least one second transmitter and/or receiver unit (801; T/R2) is disclosed. The reliability and availability of the communication link especially in a highly reflective environment is improved especially by using spread spectrum technology and ultra wide band carrier frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data rate controlling feedback loop (355, 360) that can evaluate an actual instantaneous available quality of service of a communication link (345) for transmitting data and control the data rate based on an evaluation result. Feedback control may both be local to a device for acquiring examination data such as e.g. a magnetic resonance imaging coil or over the communication link by reducing the data rate at least momentarily to fit the communication link's performance over time, enabling a graceful degradation of an image quality at lower data rates.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil comprises: a coil unit (30, 100) including one or more conductive radio frequency receive elements (32, 110) tuned to receive a magnetic resonance signal and an on-board active electronic component (34, 114, 118) operatively coupled with the one or more conductive radio frequency receive elements; and a power coupling element (40, 46, 134, 138, 140) configured to non-conductively receive electrical power from a power delivery element (44, 132, 136) during a magnetic resonance acquisition session to power the on-board active electronic component (114, 118) during the magnetic resonance acquisition session (e.g. wirelessly by inductive coupling or by capacitive coupling). In some embodiments, the power coupling element (134, 138, 140) is a component of the coil unit (102), and the radio frequency coil further comprises a base coil unit (104) including the power delivery element (132, 136) operatively combinable with the coil unit (102) to define an annular coil.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system (10) includes a wireless local coil (22) which functions as a transmit only or a transmit and receive coil. The local coil includes an RF coil (50) with a plurality of coil elements (501, 50a). A corresponding number of transmit amplifiers (581, 58a) apply RF signals to the RF coil elements to transmit an RF signal. A peak power supply (56) provides electrical power to the transmit amplifiers to transmit relatively high power RF pulses. A trickle charging device (66) recharges the peak power supply between RF pulses from a local coil power supply (60). A power transfer device (64) wirelessly transfers power to a coil power supply recharging device (62) which recharges the local coil power supply (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency—receiver (112; 216; 308; 404), the receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) being adapted to receive analogue signals from at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (106; 200; 202; 300; 400; 402), the radio frequency receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) comprising: an analogue-digital converter (118; 226) to convert the analogue pre-amplified magnetic resonance signal into a digital signal, means (120; 230) for digital down converting the digital signal and a first communication interface (130; 252) adapted for transmitting the down converted digital signal via a communication link (e.g. wireless, optical or wire-bound).

Abstract: A radio frequency antenna comprising a resonant pickup circuit (102) arranged to pick up a magnetic resonance signal, an analog-to-digital converter (105) arranged to convert the magnetic resonance signal to digital data, and a frequency converter arranged to convert a primary band of frequencies of the digital data. By upshifting the frequency of the transmitted bit-stream, it is possible to RF-trap the transmission channel (109) by simple high-pass filtering techniques. In case the transmitted bit pattern has frequency components that approach the resonance frequency, an encoding technique like Manchester encoding can be used to eliminate unwanted signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system, to a magnetic resonance imaging method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system and to a computer program for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals wherein the RF coil array (402) comprises at least one RF receive coil with an associated electronic circuit, a rechargeable electrical storage device arranged to supply electrical power to the associated electronic circuit, and a charging circuit arranged to charge the rechargeable electrical storage device, wherein the charging circuit includes a switching circuit (102SW1, 102SW2, 104SW1, 104SW2, 106SW1, 106SW2, 108SW1, 108SW2) configured to electrically isolate the charging circuit from the RF coil array at least when the RF receive coil is receiving MR signal. During a time period when the RF receive coil is not receiving MR signal and/or when another RF coil is not transmitting RF signals in the presence of the RF receive coil, the switching circuit switches the charging circuit to an ON state which enables the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable electrical storage device.

Abstract: A radio frequency antenna comprising a resonant pickup circuit (102) arranged to pick up a magnetic resonance signal, an analog-to-digital converter (105) arranged to convert the magnetic resonance signal to digital data, and a frequency converter arranged to convert a primary band of frequencies of the digital data. By upshifting the frequency of the transmitted bit-stream, it is possible to RF-trap the transmission channel (109) by simple high-pass filtering techniques. In case the transmitted bit pattern has frequency components that approach the resonance frequency, an encoding technique like Manchester encoding can be used to eliminate unwanted signals.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for uni- or bidirectional wireless communication of signals or data especially in a reflective environment like a MR imaging system, between at least one first transmitter and/or receiver unit (501, 601, 701; T/R1) and at least one second transmitter and/or receiver unit (801; T/R2) is disclosed. The reliability and availability of the communication link especially in a highly reflective environment is improved especially by using spread spectrum technology and ultra wide band carrier frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system, to a magnetic resonance imaging method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system and to a computer program for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system.