Abstract: A multibeam side-look sonar system includes a projecting transducer that projects a beam of acoustic energy to insonify a target area and a receiving transducer having a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a linear array. Each of the transducer elements generates a beam signal in response to acoustic energy reflected from the target area. A beamforming circuit, coupled to the receiving transducer, processes the beam signals generated by the transducer elements to form a beam pattern. The beam pattern for an end beam on the receiving transducer has a main lobe and grating side lobes. One of the grating side lobes may be insonified by the projected beam of acoustic energy. A shading circuit, coupled between the receiving transducer and the beamforming circuit, amplifies the beam signals with respective gains, and adjusts each of the respective gains to reduce an amplitude level of the grating side lobe insonified by the projected beam of acoustic energy.

Abstract: A synthetic four sided boundary scanner has an electronically switched line array of transducer elements of transducer element on each side of a boundary array scanner, in an ultrasound mammography system. Projector and hydrophone elements are alternately provided in the four line arrays for randomized paired switching operation during a scan of a breast subvolume. Electric signals generated by the hydrophone elements are processed to provide image data for the whole breast volume after sequenced scanning of the breast subvolumes is completed. A breast scan is performed in a sequence of periods within the time between a patient's heartbeats, with synchronization enabled by a heart monitor.

Abstract: A synthetic four sides boundary scanner array is provided for an ultrasound mammography system. Projector and hydrophone elements are alternately disposed on the four array sides for stepped movement along the four sides during a scan of a breast volume. Electric signals generated by the hydrophone elements are processed to provide image data for displaying the breast volume. A breast scan is performed within the time between a patient's heartbeats.