Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved digital processing of the analog echo signals in a coherent imaging system is described which simplifies the channel circuitry requirements. The analog echo signals detected with a phased array of transducer elements are first compressed in a non-linear manner then expanded non-linearly with analog-to-digital converter means to provide increased instantaneous dynamic range in the overall system. Representative phased array coherent imaging systems having the improved digital processing means are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating an output stream of digital data words, with each data word representing the amplitude of an analog signal at one of a multiplicity F samples each second and with substantially equally spaced time intervals T therebetween, is obtained from a digital baseband demodulation system used for array beam forming. A data stream, formed of interleaved ADC output digital data words acquired from a set of converters, is at a rate of F total samples/second. Subsequent digital demodulation, filtration, and decimation provides digital output signals which need less delay resolution prior to the formation of coherent sum signals, thereby reducing overall channel memory requirements. The output baseband data stream has enhanced dynamic range, thereby reducing the ADC bit density requirements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging processing system includes transducers and means to generate in an analog fashion, in-phase and quadrature phase signals. These signals are converted to digital form and a butterfly phase rotator circuit is employed to correct for phase differences in beam steering and focusing. In particular, speed and simplicity is achieved through the utilization of read only memory means providing appropriate function values for phase correction in conjunction with digital multiplication and summing circuitry.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the inhomogeneity of a static magnetic field, produced by a main magnet, over a selected arbitrary volume, by operation of a plurality N of shimming coils each independently producing an associated shimming magnetic field having an associated inhomogeneity which is a function of spatial location over that same volume, uses the steps of: measuring the magnitude of the main magnet field, in the absence of all shimming fields, at a plurality of locations X.sub.i upon the surface of an imaginary sphere enclosing the arbitrary volume; measuring the polarity and magnitude of each of the N shimming fields, with respect to the polarity and magnitude of a D.C. current flowing through the associated shimming coil, at the same plurality of locations X.sub.i upon the imaginary sphere surface; determining the weighted mean-square variation of the total field at each of another plurality of points Y.sub.

Abstract: Power line interference artifacts in a magnetic resonance image are minimized by the process of: providing a sequential plurality of imaging signal sequences, the totality of which sequences is required for determining the value of each image pixel in an image array thereof; requesting the start of each sequence of the plurality of imaging signal sequences prior to the actual time at which each such signal sequence should commence; preparing a recognition element prior to the desired actual commencement time; recognizing a predetermined occurrence of a repetitive power line signal parameter to provide a first signal; setting the recognition element responsive to the first signal to only then cause the signal sequence start request to actually cause commencement of the associated signal sequence; and causing each signal sequence to occur in essentially an integral number of sequential repetitive cycles of the power line signal waveform to minimize the magnitude of power line frequency signal interference artif

Abstract: Accurate estimates of the instantaneous mean frequency of a time varying signal are achieved at favorable and adverse signal-to-noise ratios by an improved time domain approach. Demodulated in-phase and quadrature signals are sampled and delayed. Noise in both terms of a simple arc tangent algorithm, whose denominator has products of time samples shifted at least one time period with respect to itself, is uncorrelated and removed by low pass filtering. One embodiment is a pulsed ultrasonic Doppler system with quadrature detection to measure and display blood velocity as a function of time.