Scalable intersample interpolation architecture for high-channel-count beamformers

Abstract

Abstract-Modern ultrasound scanners utilize digital beamformers that operate on sampled and quantized echo signals. Timing precision is of essence for achieving good focusing. The direct way to achieve it is through the use of high sampling rates, but that is not economical, so interpolation between echo samples is used. This paper presents a beamformer architecture that combines a band-pass filter-based interpolation algorithm with the dynamic delay-and-sum focusing of a digital beamformer. The reduction in the number of multiplications relative to a linear perchannel interpolation and band-pass per-channel interpolation architecture is respectively 58 % and 75 % beamformer for a 256-channel beamformer using 4-tap filters. The approach allows building high channel count beamformers while maintaining high image quality due to the use of sophisticated intersample interpolation.