Ultrasound Systems Development
Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering
The group Ultrasound Systems Development of the main department ultrasound integrates both the electrical and mechanical component know-how for an ultrasound system for medical and non medical applications. With an appropriate combination of hardware and software it is possible to measure physical quantities like distance, level, speed, flow, volume and obstacle with high-precision.
Analogue & Digital Systems Development
The group Ultrasound Systems Development is focused on the development of systems for use in medical and non medical, technical applications. As a basis for targeted evaluation of innovative appoaches and the fast product development TRM and USS are available. Based on these platforms, systems for measurement applications such as flow rate, distance and level metering or for the field of quality assurance can be developped.
For the measurement in a stand-alone-configuration independent of PC or laptop "Embedded Systems" can be set up using microcontroler, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or / and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Our competence in analogue and digital systems design ranges from the concept face through the development of prototypes to the design of products ready for market.
Level and Distance Metering
Ultrasound waves propagate with defined velocity and are reflected on obstacles. This physical effect is used when an ultraound transducer emitts a wave and after a certain time receives the reflected wave. The measurement may be performed in liquids, gases or solids. Reflecting objects may be phase borders, liquid surfaces, surfaces of solid materials or other objects (parking aid). In the group Ultrasound Systems Development application-specific solutions for the distance metering are developed and realized. According to the needs of the customer, studies, feasibility studies or product and specific developments are performed.
The group is specifying and developping custom-designed solutions for the measurement ot time of flight. Appropriate feasibility studies and development projects can be preformed.
Flow Measurement Technology
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- Ultraschallbasierter Gaszähler für Pipelines.
© Fraunhofer IBMT.
In many medical and industrial applications the directed transportation of material is relevant. Often it is sufficient to describe this transportation by the velocity of flow of the relevant media. Ultrasound flow measurement technologies are based on this principle. For simple cases, it is sufficient to integrally determine the fluid velocity, but more complex cases, especially in complicated multi-phase-fluids, require the determination of the flow profile. Although being used for more than 30 years in the market, ultrasound measuring systems have only been accepted in the last years. This is due to the huge progresses in sensorics and electronics.
The group Ultrasound Systems Development works on the development and implementation of various methods for flow measurement with ultrasound for gases and fluids. Within this broad field of applications, the existing development capacity in ultrasound transducers plays an important role. Even high-temperature, clamp-on and other applications can be realized. The resource also provides studies, product development and special constructions.
Ultrasound Single Channel Systems
For ultrasound applications in real-time, a fast detection and a flexible signal processing are important. TRM (Transmit-Receive Module) and USS (UltraSoundSystem) are single channel ultrasound systems which can be used in pulse-echo and transmission mode.
Using a multiplexer they can be connected to several independent measurement-path working in stand-alone-configuration or for the raw data acquisition. A flexible and fast signal processing is ensured by the use of application of DSP´s; a fast data transfer via USB.
Neutral Pressure Systems
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- Ultrasound module (TRM) for deep sea applications.
© Fraunhofer IBMT.
Beyond a depth of 1000 m the use of pressure tolerant components is superior to other technologies concerning weight, energy, efficiency and costs (see diagram). A special casting technology in combination with the use of customized components (electronics) and special materials (foams for void filling or backing) ensures a save and robust use of the pressure tolerant parts and systems to a depth down to 6000 m.
Different platforms for the development of stand alone or embedded systems are available. Next to pressure tolerance two of the most important aspects for a system operating for a long time in a deep sea environment are energy efficiency and size. The USS (UltraSoundSystem) and the TRM (Transmit-Receive Module) are prepared to work in a low power mode and can be switched to sleep mode. Both systems are prepared to be used for single channel applications with up to 16 sensors (multiplexed) serving different applications (depth sounding, distance metering, obstacle detection, flow profile, velocity, Doppler, correlation, etc.). Both have successfully been tested to operate under pressure up to 600 bar.