Receiver chips advance ultrasound system design

Analog Devices Inc. recently launched the fourth generation of its octal (eight-channel) ultrasound receivers with two ICs that reduce system size, complexity, and power consumption for high-end, mid-range, and portable ultrasound systems.

The AD9278 and AD9279 receiver chips each integrate ADI’s data conversion technology for low noise TGC (time-gain-control) mode performance while providing high dynamic range I/Q demodulators that reduce the power and area for implementation of CW (continuous wave) Doppler processing. They provide a high output-referred large-signal SNR—up to 67 dB—enabling improved sensitivity in diagnostic ultrasound systems while reducing board space up to 40 percent.

Key highlights:

• Eight channels offering full TGC path, ADC, and I/Q demodulator contained within a 144-ball, 10-mm × 10-mm BGA (ball grid array) package
• Integrated high dynamic range I/Q demodulator with programmable phase rotation
• A data clock output that operates up to 480 MHz and supports double data rate operation
• SPI (serial port interface) control offering a wide range of flexible features to enable specific power, noise, distortion, and gain optimization needed for all imagining modes
• Integrated second-order anti-aliasing filter placed before the ADC and programmable from 8 MHz to 18 MHz
• Fast, repeatable overload recovery  

Availability: Now.

Datasheets: AD9278 and AD9279