Patent ID: 7314445
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: B06B,H04B

Abstract:
1. A device comprising an ultrasonic transducer element and an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit comprising a high-voltage pulser including a high-voltage transmit/receive switch, for driving said ultrasonic transducer element with high-voltage transmit pulse signals, an amplifier for receiving a receive signal from said ultrasonic transducer element, and a low-voltage transmit/receive switch having first and second switch states, said low-voltage transmit/receive switch being electrically coupled between said high-voltage pulser and said amplifier, said amplifier being protected from said high-voltage transmit pulse signals by said low-voltage transmit/receive switch in said first switch state and being not protected when said low-voltage transmit/receive switch is in said second switch state.