ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS USING MULTI-STAGE PULSE COMPRESSOR

摘要

PURPOSE: An ultrasound imaging apparatus using a multi-stage pulse compressor is provided to improve the quality of an ultrasound image by grouping an array of transducers into a predetermined number and using a pulse compression technique. CONSTITUTION: An array of transducers(20) is comprised of a plurality of transducers. A receiving unit(21) amplifies an ultrasound signal reflected to the array(20) and converts the amplified signal into a digital signal. A first delay unit(22) delays the digital signal from the receiving unit(21) according to a position of the respective transducer and outputs data. An apodization unit(23) multiplies the data from the first delay unit(22) by an apodization coefficient to improve a lateral resolution. A first adder(24) adds an output signal from the apodization unit(23). A pulse compressing unit(25) performs a pulse compression on an output signal from the first adder(24) to discriminate data corresponding to each scan line. A second delay unit(26) delays the pulse compressed data from the pulse compressing unit(25). A second adder(27) adds all of output data from the second delay unit(26) to generate a focusing signal.