New Eight-Channel Receivers Help Reduce Size, Complexity, and Power Consumption of Ultrasound Systems

Analog Devices Inc. (Norwood, MA) has launched the fourth generation of its octal (eight-channel) ultrasound receivers. The two new integrated circuits (ICs) in the series reduce system size, complexity, and power consumption for high-end, mid-range, and portable ultrasound systems, meeting the growing need for smaller, faster, lower-power ultrasound equipment.

The new AD9278 and AD9279 receiver chips integrate the company's data conversion technology for low noise time-gain-control-mode performance while providing high dynamic range I/Q demodulators that reduce the power and area for implementation of continuous-wave Doppler processing. The receivers provide the highest available output-referred large-signal-to-noise ratio--up to 67 dB--enabling improved sensitivity in diagnostic ultrasound systems while reducing board space up to 40%, according to the manufacturer.

"Ultrasound equipment designers must continually balance new and changing demands for higher image quality and increased power efficiency," remarks Patrick O'Doherty, Analog Devices' vice president for the healthcare group. "The new AD9278 and AD9279 octal ultrasound receivers help system designers manage the design challenges inherent in trying to get the best image quality at the lowest power for either high-end or portable systems."

The AD9278 octal ultrasound receiver is designed for portable ultrasound systems, while the AD9279 octal ultrasound receiver is suitable for high-end and mid-range systems. The devices are pin- and package-compatible with each other and allow designers to use a common PCB layout that can be leveraged across multiple ultrasound platforms.

The receivers feature a variable-gain range of 45 dB, a fully differential signal path, an active input preamplifier termination, a maximum gain of up to 52 dB, and an analog-to-digital converter with a conversion rate of up to 80 million samples per second. Each device is optimized for dynamic performance and low-power operation in applications in which a small package size is critical. In CW mode, the AD9278 features ultralow power consumption of 25 mW per channel, while the AD9279 offers low power consumption of 50 mW per channel. In TGC mode, the AD9278 consumes 88 mW per channel at 40 million samples per second, while the AD9279 consumes 139 mW per channel at 40 million samples per second.