Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer and a bi-directional transistor coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound receiver coupled to the bi-directional transistor. The bi-directional transistor operates to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to ground and to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound receiver.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmitter including intrinsic output zeroing is disclosed herein. A transmitter for generating ultrasound signals includes a first transmitter output driver and a first transmitter input driver. The first transmitter output driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. The first transmitter input driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. An output of the first transmitter input driver is coupled to an input of the first transmitter output driver. The first transmitter output driver drives an output of the transmitter to a first voltage and the first transmitter input driver drives the output of the transmitter to a second voltage while the first transmitter output driver is disabled.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a bias network. The first driver includes a first plurality of drive transistors that when activated drive an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. The first bias network is coupled to the first plurality of drive transistors, and, at least in part, controls distribution, across the drive transistors, of voltage at the ultrasound transmitter output. Control inputs of the first driver are decoupled from the ultrasound transmitter output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a second driver. Each of the drivers includes an N-type device and a P-type device. The N-type device and the P-type device of each driver are serially coupled. Activation of the first driver drives an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. Activation of the second driver drives the ultrasound transmitter output to a second voltage. The driver activations produce an ultrasonic drive signal at the ultrasound transmitter output.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer and a bi-directional transistor coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound receiver coupled to the bi-directional transistor. The bi-directional transistor operates to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to ground and to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a continuous wave (“CW”) ultrasonic drive signal and a B-mode ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasonic transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasonic transmitter includes a first shunt transistor and a second shunt transistor. The first shunt transistor shunts positive transmitter output voltage to ground. The second shunt transistor shunts negative transmitter output voltage to ground. The shunt transistors include control inputs that, when modulated, cause the shunt transistors to produce a CW ultrasonic drive signal on a transmitter output. The ultrasonic transmitter also includes a first CW control transistor coupled to the first shunt transistor, and a second CW control transistor coupled to the second shunt transistor. The first and second CW control transistors respectively provide negative and positive CW drive voltage to the first and second shunt transistors.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmitter including intrinsic output zeroing is disclosed herein. A transmitter for generating ultrasound signals includes a first transmitter output driver and a first transmitter input driver. The first transmitter output driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. The first transmitter input driver includes an N-type device serially coupled to a P-type device. An output of the first transmitter input driver is coupled to an input of the first transmitter output driver. The first transmitter output driver drives an output of the transmitter to a first voltage and the first transmitter input driver drives the output of the transmitter to a second voltage while the first transmitter output driver is disabled.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a second driver. Each of the drivers includes an N-type device and a P-type device. The N-type device and the P-type device of each driver are serially coupled. Activation of the first driver drives an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. Activation of the second driver drives the ultrasound transmitter output to a second voltage. The driver activations produce an ultrasonic drive signal at the ultrasound transmitter output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first plurality of drive transistors. A bias network is coupled to at least one transistor of the first plurality of drive transistors. A first switch is coupled to the bias network. The first switch selectively connects a first voltage to the bias network. The first switch is closed when generating an ultrasonic drive signal. The first switch is open when the transmitter is not generating an ultrasonic drive signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first driver and a bias network. The first driver includes a first plurality of drive transistors that when activated drive an ultrasound transmitter output to a first voltage. The first bias network is coupled to the first plurality of drive transistors, and, at least in part, controls distribution, across the drive transistors, of voltage at the ultrasound transmitter output. Control inputs of the first driver are decoupled from the ultrasound transmitter output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a continuous wave (“CW”) ultrasonic drive signal and a B-mode ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasonic transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasonic transmitter includes a first shunt transistor and a second shunt transistor. The first shunt transistor shunts positive transmitter output voltage to ground. The second shunt transistor shunts negative transmitter output voltage to ground. The shunt transistors include control inputs that, when modulated, cause the shunt transistors to produce a CW ultrasonic drive signal on a transmitter output. The ultrasonic transmitter also includes a first CW control transistor coupled to the first shunt transistor, and a second CW control transistor coupled to the second shunt transistor. The first and second CW control transistors respectively provide negative and positive CW drive voltage to the first and second shunt transistors.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first plurality of drive transistors. A bias network is coupled to at least one transistor of the first plurality of drive transistors. A first switch is coupled to the bias network. The first switch selectively connects a first voltage to the bias network. The first switch is closed when generating an ultrasonic drive signal. The first switch is open when the transmitter is not generating an ultrasonic drive signal.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) device for protecting a power amplifier circuit is disclosed. The ESD device comprises a first ESD protection circuit coupled between a positive terminal of a supply voltage and a negative terminal of the supply voltage, and a second ESD protection circuit coupled between the negative terminal of the supply voltage and an output terminal of the power amplifier circuit, wherein a first current path is formed from the positive terminal to the output terminal through the first and second ESD protection circuits. A circuit device operative to increase impedance of a second current path from the positive terminal to the output terminal through the power amplifier circuit to divert current from the second current path to the first current path in the course of an ESD event.