Abstract: Front-end circuitry for an ultrasound system comprises a beamformer FPGA integrated circuit, transmit ICs with both pulse transmitters and linear waveform transmitters and T/R switches, transmit control and receiver ICs, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ICs. Only the transmit ICs require high voltages, and the transmit/receive switches are integrated in the transmit ICs, isolating the receiver ICs from high voltages. The transmitters can be trimmed to adjust the pulse rise and fall rates, enabling the transmission of pulses with low harmonic frequency content and thus better harmonic images.

Abstract: Front-end circuitry for an ultrasound system is described which comprises a beamformer FPGA integrated circuit, transmit ICs with both pulse transmitters and linear waveform transmitters, transmit control and receiver ICs, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ICs. Waveform data for both the linear and pulser transmitters is stored in the transmit control and receiver ICs, saving pins on the FPGA, which is the conventional source of this data. The ADCs couple digital echo data to the FPGA for beamforming over serial bus lines, saving additional FPGA pins over a conventional parallel data arrangement. The inclusion of both pulser and linear waveform transmit capabilities in the transmit ICs enables the use of both types of transmitters in the formation of a multi-mode image, such as use of the pulsers for Doppler beams and linear transmitters for B mode beams in the formation of a colorflow image.

Abstract: Front-end circuitry for an ultrasound system comprises a beamformer FPGA integrated circuit, transmit ICs with both pulse transmitters and linear waveform transmitters and T/R switches, transmit control and receiver ICs, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ICs. Only the transmit ICs require high voltages, and the transmit/receive switches are integrated in the transmit ICs, isolating the receiver ICs from high voltages. The transmitters can be trimmed to adjust the pulse rise and fall rates, enabling the transmission of pulses with low harmonic frequency content and thus better harmonic images.

Abstract: Front-end circuitry for an ultrasound system is described which comprises a beamformer FPGA integrated circuit, transmit ICs with both pulse transmitters and linear waveform transmitters, transmit control and receiver ICs, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ICs. Waveform data for both the linear and pulser transmitters is stored in the transmit control and receiver ICs, saving pins on the FPGA, which is the conventional source of this data. The ADCs couple digital echo data to the FPGA for beamforming over serial bus lines, saving additional FPGA pins over a conventional parallel data arrangement. The inclusion of both pulser and linear waveform transmit capabilities in the transmit ICs enables the use of both types of transmitters in the formation of a multi-mode image, such as use of the pulsers for Doppler beams and linear transmitters for B mode beams in the formation of a colorflow image.

Abstract: A method for emulating and debugging a microcontroller is described. In one embodiment, an event thread is executed on an emulator that operates in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information is sampled at selected points. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. As such, the event information and trace information are effectively pre-filtered. Accordingly, it is not incumbent on a designer to read and understand the event and trace information and sort out the information that is of interest. Instead, this task is essentially done automatically, helping the designer and reducing the probability of error. Furthermore, because only selected event and trace information is recorded, the resources of the in-circuit emulator system are not taxed.

Abstract: A method and system for helping a user efficiently browse an electronic document using data-driven tabs. A datasheet providing technical details of a corresponding user module is scanned for indicators (e.g., embedded anchors), wherein a user module is a pre-configured circuit design operating on a microcontroller. The indicators are for indicating a predetermined location within the datasheet. The datasheet description is read and graphic elements (e.g., tabs) are automatically rendered for each corresponding indicator, wherein a graphic element is rendered according to information within the indicator. Interacting with one of the graphic elements allows a user to jump to a predetermined location within the datasheet. The graphic elements are operable for efficient navigation of the datasheet, allowing for a large datasheet to be easily viewed in a small area of a display.

Abstract: A hybrid integrated circuit package for a microbeamformer in an ultrasound probe includes a substrate, a driver circuit for generating transmit pulses to be transmitted to the transducer elements of the probe for producing a transmit beam, and a beamformer circuit including time delay circuits and a summation circuit, the time delay circuits being operatively arranged for receiving a plurality of reflected pulses from the transducer elements and delaying the reflected pulses and the summation circuit operatively arranged summing groups of the delayed reflected pulses for producing beamformed signals. The driver circuit is part of a high voltage integrated circuit device including said driver circuit. At least a portion of the beamformer circuit is part of a low voltage integrated circuit device, wherein the high voltage integrated circuit and the low voltage integrated circuit are mounted on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for emulating and debugging a microcontroller. In one embodiment, an event thread is executed on an emulator that operates in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information is sampled at selected points. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. As such, the event information and trace information are effectively pre-filtered. Accordingly, it is not incumbent on a designer to read and understand the event and trace information and sort out the information that is of interest. Instead, this task is essentially done automatically, helping the designer and reducing the probability of error. Furthermore, because only selected event and trace information is recorded, the resources of the in-circuit emulator system are not taxed.

Abstract: A method for emulating and debugging a microcontroller. In one embodiment, an event thread is executed on an emulator that operates in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information is sampled at selected points. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. As such, the event information and trace information are effectively pre-filtered. Accordingly, it is not incumbent on a designer to read and understand the event and trace information and sort out the information that is of interest. Instead, this task is essentially done automatically, helping the designer and reducing the probability of error. Furthermore, because only selected event and trace information is recorded, the resources of the in-circuit emulator system are not taxed.

Abstract: An emulation and debugging system that includes an in-circuit emulator couplable to a microcontroller. The in-circuit emulator is adapted to execute an event thread in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information generated as a result of executing the event thread is sampled at selected points and the sampled event information is stored in memory. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. The sampled event information and the recorded trace information are time-stamped. In one embodiment, a display device is coupled to the in-circuit emulator. The display device is used for displaying analog and/or digital waveforms representing the sampled event information and the recorded trace information. Accordingly, an in-circuit emulator system can also function as an oscilloscope and/or as a logic analyzer, allowing a user to view event and trace information, along with other information, that are generated as part of the debugging process.

Abstract: A method to facilitate programming a microcontroller is disclosed. In one embodiment, after a user configures the circuit by selecting circuit parameters and pin-outs, various items are automatically generated to facilitate programming the microcontroller. The generated items may include: application programming interfaces (APIs) for programming the operation of one or more user modules; source code for realizing the user modules in hardware; interrupt vectors to call interrupt service routines for one or more modules; and a data sheet for the circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for helping a user perform tasks in software. Graphic elements (e.g., icons) are rendered and displayed regardless of which task is being performed. An element can be either active or inactive; user selection of an element with the element active initiates an action in response to the selection while user selection of the element with the element inactive will not initiate the action. The elements are selectively activated and deactivated to guide the user through the tasks according to the order in which the tasks are logically performed. The elements are also selectively activated and deactivated to suggest a hierarchy to the tasks within the logical order of the tasks. Accordingly, the user is guided through the tasks without the need for a help utility such as a wizard.

Abstract: A method to program a microcontroller using a software program. First a user selects a module from a catalog of available modules. The module may be for implementing an amplifier, timer, pulse width modulator, etc. This causes information related to the selected module to be displayed. For example, a schematic and data sheet for the selected module may be displayed. Next, the user requests a position and places the selected module in a graphical user interface, which represents the resources available to implement the available modules. For example, the resources may be programmable system blocks. Additional user modules may then be selected and placed. The user then configures the circuit by selecting circuit parameters for the user modules (e.g., amplifier gain), pin configurations, and interconnections between programmable system blocks. The user may then edit source code used to cause the user modules to perform their functions.

Abstract: A method to facilitate circuit design. First, a schematic and data sheet for a selected module may be displayed. Next, in response to a request for a position for the module among available resources (e.g., programmable system blocks), a potential position for the module is computed. The position is displayed on a graphical user interface by mapping the module to one or more programmable system blocks. Additional user modules may then be selected and placed. After allowing the user to configure the circuit by selecting circuit parameters and pin-outs, various items are automatically generated to facilitate programming the target device. For example, application programming interfaces (APIs) for programming an operation of the modules, source code for realizing the modules in the resources, an interrupt vector table, and a data sheet for the circuit may be automatically generated.

Abstract: A method and system for helping a user perform tasks in software. Graphic elements (e.g., icons) are rendered and displayed regardless of which task is being performed. An element can be either active or inactive; user selection of an element with the element active initiates an action in response to the selection while user selection of the element with the element inactive will not initiate the action. Some elements are activated and other elements are deactivated according to which task is to be performed. The elements are selectively activated and deactivated to guide the user through the tasks according to the order in which the tasks are logically performed. The elements thus suggest an order for performing the tasks, guiding the user through the tasks without the need for a help utility such as a wizard.

Abstract: A data driven method and a system for monitoring resource usage for programming a microcontroller. The microcontroller design system includes a configuration and design system with integrated datasheet information and having three independent, but integrated workspaces to provide a programmer an organized way of displaying configuration and design information. The three workspaces include a user module selection workspace, a user module placement workspace and a user module pin out workspace for allowing the programmer to select desired function components for a target microcontroller device. The configuration and design system includes data files that specify hardware resources that are tracked as the designer selects user modules to program the microcontroller. Resource usage values are cumulatively tracked and displayed interactively in a resource manager workspace to enable the designer to keep constant track of the type of resources and the amount of resources used.

Abstract: A method and system of rendering a workspace for helping a user design a microcontroller. A workspace having multiple windows is rendered. A first window of the workspace comprises at least one selectable user module wherein a user module is a pre-configured function operating with the microcontroller. Input indicating a selection of a user module is received. Responsive to the selection, a datasheet is automatically rendered in a second window of the workspace, wherein the datasheet provides technical details corresponding to the selected user module. In one embodiment, the workspace further comprises selectable tabs, wherein the tabs are rendered according to data of the datasheet. The tabs are operable for easy navigation of the datasheet.

Abstract: A method and a system for using a graphics user interface for programming a microcontroller. The microcontroller design system includes a device editor system with integrated datasheet information and having three independent, but integrated workspaces to provide a programmer an organized way of displaying device editor information. The three workspaces include a user module selection workspace, a user module placement workspace and a user module pin out workspace for allowing the programmer to select desired function components for a target microcontroller device. The user module selection workspace allows the programmer to select desired components from a list of user modules and the placement workspace allows user modules to be placed in allowable hardware resources. The user module pin out workspace provides the programmer with the means to retrieve pin out information on the selected user modules that constitute the desired target microcontroller device design.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically displaying modules and resources within a chip design software application. The system and method provide a graphical interface which relate both a module and the associated resource. This graphical interface utilizes highlights of both the module and the associated resource in patterns, grayscales, or colors to graphically illustrate the relationship between the module and the associated resource. The system and method also provide a graphical interface which illustrates a fixed group and unfixed group of resources associated with a particular module. The unfixed group of resources can be iterated to a next possible location on the chip that would satisfy the requirements of the associated module. Any fixed group of resources can be selected as the unfixed group by selecting that group of resources.