# Real-Time Volumetric Ultrasound Research Platform with 1024 Parallel Transmit and Receive Channels
## 1 Introduction  
Ultrasound imaging has been established in medical diagnostics for many decades. Most ultrasound systems in use today still use 2D imaging techniques, which reconstruct a two-dimensional ultrasound image by acquiring multiple lines of a body region. Newer devices increasingly use 3D imaging methods that capture cross-sectional images of a ROI at many different angles. This technique is used in a variety of different diagnostic fields. In addition to obstetrics, gynecology and urology, 3D imaging has its main applications in cardiology, but also in ophthalmology, angiology and many more. The main advantages are that 3D ultrasound allows visualization of the entire structure of an organ, the user needs to be less experienced in its use, the repeatability of an ROI examination and the possibility of easy fusion with other imaging modalities [1]. Early technological solutions used freehand but tracked 2D imaging and subsequent volumetric reconstruction [2] or mechanically moved convex 2D imaging probes scanning a fixed region at low volumetric imaging rates [3]. In recent developments in the field of 3D ultrasound research, multi-channel systems are applied often in conjunction with matrix arrays. Using fully addressed matrix array transducers, this method represents the mostflexible solution for the development of new beamforming algorithms through electronic sound beam control. Because each element of the ultrasound array can be controlled directly by the multi-channel electronics, without the use of a multiplexer, high-speed, real-time measurements and fast volumetric imaging with significantly reduced motion artifacts are possible. Although technologies such as micro-beamforming, using subgroups of elements [4, 5], or row and column addressing of transducers [6, 7] greatly reduce the complexity and cost of the electronics required in a final product, the development of new applications is most freely assured by the use of multi-channel system platforms with full access to all transducer elements. However, those systems are not only well suited for researching new 3D imaging techniques but also for characterizing multi-element array geometries. The knowledge gained from the research using fully addressed matrix arrays can subsequently be transferred to cost effective hardware concepts to be used in products. Several 1024-channel multi-channel platforms have been presented in the past, which allow the use of a matrix array [8, 9, 10, 11]. Often these systems are very complex using multiple linked ultrasound research systems that cannot be controlled by a single computer. This complicates the possibilities for programming and processing as well as performing clinical research regarding basic safety for patients and users using such an experimental setup. For this reason, we developed a highly integrated multi-channel ultrasound platform with the focus on achieving the most compact design possible, including completely open access to the parameterization of the system and to all digitized data of the individual transducer elements. This system enables custom matrix array beamforming and processing research while focusing on medical safety principles to evaluate new technologies in clinical studies. Derived from our requirements and goals, we concluded the specification shown in Table 1.