Patent ID: 6967975
Filing Date: 2005-11-22
Classification: G01S,H04J,H04L

Abstract:
1. A time-domain communication system for use in an ultrasonic imaging system, the time-domain communication system comprising: an ultrasonic array having a plurality of ultrasonic array outputs; a time-domain multiplexer having an input connected to each of the plurality of ultrasonic array outputs and having a multiplexer output, the time-domain multiplexer continually cycles through each of the plurality of ultrasonic array outputs at a predetermined frequency connecting each of the plurality of ultrasonic array outputs to the multiplexer output for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic array outputs comprises a first number of outputs and the multiplexer output comprises a second number of outputs, the first number of outputs being greater than the second number of outputs; a de-multiplexer having an input connected to the multiplexer output, the de-multiplexer having a plurality of de-multiplexer outputs, the de-multiplexer continually cycles through each of the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs at the predetermined frequency connecting each of the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs to the multiplexer output for the predetermined amount of time, wherein the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs comprises a third number of outputs, the third number of outputs being greater than the second number of outputs; a time gain control amplifier connected to each of the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs and amplifying each respective signal in each of the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs; an analog to digital converter connected to the time gain control amplifier, wherein each respective signal in each of the plurality of de-multiplexer outputs is converted to a digital signal at a sample frequency rate; and a timing reference connected to the time-domain multiplexer, the de-multiplexer and the analog to digital converter for providing a single timing reference to determine at least the predetermined frequency and the sample frequency rate.