Broad-band, large delay range, high precision, and variable analog delay lines for a high-frequency phased array beamformer

K. Latham, C. Arthur, J. Brown

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A set of prototype RF delay lines have been developed in order to meet the required bandwidth, delay accuracy, and delay range requirements for a previously developed 64 channel endoscopic phased array prototype. Each delay line is based on a planar PMN-32%PT pulse-echo transducer situated in a water bath, reflecting off a polished brass reflector. The pulse-echo transducers are mounted on individual in-house fabricated piezoelectric bimorphs, which are 'simply' supported. This creates an electronic delay time proportional to the distance between the single-element transducer and the reflecting surface in the water bath. When the physical length between the transducer and the reflecting surface is changed, the delay time also changes. A variable high voltage signal causes bimorph actuation and, in turn, the variable delays. The experimentally measured centre frequency and bandwidth for the pulse echo transducers was 45 MHz and 60% respectively. The pulse echo insertion loss without considering water attenuation or loss into the brass reflector was measured to be -20.8 dB, therefore one single low-noise amplifier with 20 dB gain was required for each delay line to have zero insertion loss. The signal-to-noise ratio was only decreased by 1.1dB with this amplifier in place. The total delay range measured by adjusting the bimorph voltage by +/- 80V was 1.4 μs, and the accuracy/repeatability of the pulse delay was less than 3ns. To date 16 channels of individually controlled parallel delays have been fabricated and the fabrication/testing of a full 64 channel system is ongoing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages2197-2200
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781479970490
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 20 2014
Event2014 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2014 - Chicago, United States
Duration: Sept 3 2014Sept 6 2014

Publication series

NameIEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS
ISSN (Print)1948-5719
ISSN (Electronic)1948-5727

Conference

Conference2014 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period9/3/149/6/14

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 IEEE.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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Latham, K., Arthur, C., & Brown, J. (2014). Broad-band, large delay range, high precision, and variable analog delay lines for a high-frequency phased array beamformer. In IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS (pp. 2197-2200). Article 6932324 (IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS). IEEE Computer Society. https://doi.org/10.1109/ULTSYM.2014.0547