Patent ID: 6928856
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: G01N,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method for testing a multiplexing acoustic probe having a plurality of transducing elements adapted for conversion between acoustic and electrical signals and a switch matrix adapted for mapping a plurality of switch-matrix channels to the plurality of transducing elements, wherein the plurality of switch-matrix channels is smaller in number than the plurality of transducing elements, the method comprising: communicating an instruction for the switch matrix to adopt a specified state; generating an electrical transmission signal; transmitting the electrical transmission signal to one of a plurality of adapter channels through a relay element in accordance with a state of the relay element; transmitting the electrical transmission signal from the one of the plurality of adapter channels to one of the plurality of switch-matrix channels; transmitting the electrical transmission signal from the one of the plurality of switch-matrix channels to a selected transducing element; and receiving an electrical received signal from the multiplexing acoustic in response to the electrical transmission signal.