A formal comparison between fundamental RX amplifier configurations for Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUT) is proposed in this paper. The impact on both RX and the pulse-echo frequency response and on the output SNR are thoroughly analysed and discussed. It is shown that the resistive-feedback amplifier yields a band-pass RX frequency response, while both open-loop voltage and capacitivefeedback amplifiers exhibit a low-pass frequency response. For a given power dissipation, it is formally proved that a capacitivefeedback amplifier provides a remarkable SNR improvement against the commonly adopted resistive feedback stage, achieved at the expense of a reduced pulse-echo center frequency, making its use convenient in low and mid-frequency ultrasound imaging applications. The advantage mostly comes from a much lower noise contributed by the active devices, especially with low-Q, broadband transducers. The results of the analysis are applied to the design of a CMUT front-end in BCD-SOI technology operating at 10MHz center frequency. It comprises a low-power RX amplifier, a high voltage T/R switch and a 100V TX driver. Extensive electrical characterization, pulse-echo measurements and imaging results are shown. Compared to previously reported CMUT front-ends, this transceiver demonstrates the highest dynamic range and state-of-the-art noise performance with RX amplifier power dissipation of 1 mW.
Sautto, M., Savoia, A.S., Quaglia, F., Caliano, G., Mazzanti, A. (2017). A Comparative Analysis of CMUT Receiving Architectures for Design Optimization of Integrated Transceiver Front-Ends. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS FERROELECTRICS AND FREQUENCY CONTROL, 64(5), 826-838 [10.1109/TUFFC.2017.2668769].
A Comparative Analysis of CMUT Receiving Architectures for Design Optimization of Integrated Transceiver Front-Ends
SAVOIA, ALESSANDRO STUART;CALIANO, Giosue';
2017-01-01
Abstract
A formal comparison between fundamental RX amplifier configurations for Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUT) is proposed in this paper. The impact on both RX and the pulse-echo frequency response and on the output SNR are thoroughly analysed and discussed. It is shown that the resistive-feedback amplifier yields a band-pass RX frequency response, while both open-loop voltage and capacitivefeedback amplifiers exhibit a low-pass frequency response. For a given power dissipation, it is formally proved that a capacitivefeedback amplifier provides a remarkable SNR improvement against the commonly adopted resistive feedback stage, achieved at the expense of a reduced pulse-echo center frequency, making its use convenient in low and mid-frequency ultrasound imaging applications. The advantage mostly comes from a much lower noise contributed by the active devices, especially with low-Q, broadband transducers. The results of the analysis are applied to the design of a CMUT front-end in BCD-SOI technology operating at 10MHz center frequency. It comprises a low-power RX amplifier, a high voltage T/R switch and a 100V TX driver. Extensive electrical characterization, pulse-echo measurements and imaging results are shown. Compared to previously reported CMUT front-ends, this transceiver demonstrates the highest dynamic range and state-of-the-art noise performance with RX amplifier power dissipation of 1 mW.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
