Programmable FPGA-based 32-channel transmitter for high frame rate ultrasound channel excitation applications

Abstract

This paper describes the design and results of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) designed for ultrasound transient elastography transmitter. The high frame rate is achieved by multi-line transmission. The design is capable of achieving frame rates up to 8,000 frames per second by excitation of all the channels simultaneously. The FPGA also generates the drive signals for the commonly available CMOS transmit pulsers for high voltage excitation of the ultrasound transducer. The FPGA is configured from a microcontroller using a parallel interface. The FPGA also generates the synchronisation pulses for the receiver. The FPGA has a flexible design where parameters like ultrasound frequency, number of pulses per burst, pulse repetition frequency, and so on are programmed from the microcontroller. One FPGA caters for 32 channels and has a maximum frequency of operation of 8 MHz. The novelty of this study is in the design and implementation of an open FPGA architecture for 32 channel high frame rate ultrasound application.