SAM2032: 32 Channel Ultrasound AutoFocus™ Beamformer with QuadBeam™

Overview

SAM2032 32 Ch AutoFocus Ultrasound Beamformer

Samplify’s AutoFocus™ ultrasound beamforming technology is optimized for high performance, low power ultrasound machines. The AutoFocus™ beamforming provides the flexibility for ultrasound OEMs to implement customized and differentiated algorithms that simplify software and system design and speed time to market across a wide range of systems from ultra-low power hand-held machines, through laptop hand-carried machines and entry-level and mid-range carts.

AutoFocus™ Calculation Engine

Samplify’s beamformer technology includes a unique integrated AutoFocus™ calculation engine which automatically refocuses the receiver to capture reflections at different scan depths. AutoFocus™ alleviates the real-time requirement of calculating and downloading the delay and weighting coefficients in the back-end computer, thus simplifying software and system design. Four scan-lines are formed simultaneously using QuadBeam™ phased array technology for higher frame rates and improved lateral resolution. All transducer geometry definitions and scan-line parameters are driven from programmable tables, further removing the real-time nature of back-end computer updates while providing beamformer implementation flexibility to the OEM customer. The SAM2032 consumes a fraction of the power of an FPGA solution while providing high-end FPGA performance at more cost effective FPGA prices.

Specifications

Samplify’s AutoFocus™ beamforming provides the following enhancements for ultrasound applications:

Supports 32 input channels
AutoFocus™ engine calculates and updates delay and apodization weights every 0.5 mm, and interpolates every sample period. Provides programmable initial and maximum scan depths, and programmable F# and window functions.
QuadBeam™ phased-array technology forms four simultaneous scan-lines. Compared with many current implementations that form a single beam, QuadBeam enables higher ultrasound frame-rates for color overlays and higher lateral resolution with multiple transmit focus depths. QuadBeam also enables a low-power mode requiring 75 percent fewer transmissions per frame.
Table driven architecture supports pre-defined scan-line settings such as origin coordinates, aperture values, and steering angles allowing interleaving B-mode and color modes. Tables defining transducer geometries are also provided for each element.