Electronics Engineering

The working group of Electronics Engineering of the main department of Ultrasound is specialized in analogue and digital circuit development for customer-specific ultrasound systems for use in medical, technical and sonar applications. Alongside single-channel measurement systems for the high-resolution analysis of various physical quantities such as distance, speed and volume, another core competence of this working group is the development of scalable, multi-channel ultrasound systems with open access to a multitude of control parameters and all levels of the signal processing chain. The bandwidth ranges from low-frequency applications (sonar and therapy systems) to clinical diagnostics, and right up to high-frequency imaging systems for preclinical applications or non-destructive material testing/process control. The experience of this working group in the design of analogue and digital ultrasound hardware covers the whole spectrum of development from the creation of the concept to prototypes, right up to market-ready, certified systems. In cooperation with the group of Software Engineering/System Integration we implement complete applications and develop them to customer-specific products.

The systemic basis for multichannel research and development is the Digital Phased Array System (DiPhAS). This system is an in-house development of a digital phased array ultrasound platform, which is medically approved and customizable for different requirements.

The tried and tested and steadily further developed technology platforms TRM (Transmit Receive Module) and USS (UltraSoundSystem) are available for the targeted evaluation of innovative, single-channel approaches and rapid product development. Based on these platforms, systems for individual measurement tasks are developed, for example for test applications or quality assurance.

Group Offers

sorted by business area

 

Biomedical Ultrasound

Ultrasound
Research System

In the field of biomedical ultrasound, innovative ultrasound systems are often required to solve complex questions. Those systems are on the one hand especially adapted to the customer's application and offer on the other hand the greatest possible degree of freedom in setting options and access rights.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Multiplexer
Development

By using individual multiplexer solutions, the "DiPhAS" ultrasound research system can be quickly and easily adapted to transducers with up to 1024 elements.

Biomedical Ultrasound

1024 Channel
Research System

In applications such as volumetric imaging, transducers are used with significantly more elements than channels provided by the excitation and digitizing electronics. A high-precision synchronization circuit enables parallel operation of several ultrasound systems for simultaneous control of up to 1024 transducer elements.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Multi Channel
HIFU‍-‍Research System

n addition to classical diagnostics, ultrasound is also used for therapeutic purposes, in particular to combat tumors. This involves bundling high-intensity ultrasound waves in order to heat and destroy tissue in a targeted manner (HIFU). An important area of application for this procedure is, for example, the treatment of prostate cancer.

 

Biomedical Ultrasound

Multi Channel
High Frequency Systems

High temporal and spatial resolution ultrasound imaging, which is used in preclinical research to study organs and tissues in small animals, requires advanced multi-channel ultrasound systems that can digitize and process analog signals at very high frequencies.

 

Biomedical Ultrasound

Single Channel
High Frequency Systems

Single-channel ultrasound systems are optimized for a frequency range between 1 and 35 MHz. Due to their high resolution of details, the imaging systems are used in the medical field for the examination of fine skin structures as well as in the imaging of teeth. By using a multiplexer solution, up to 128 transducer elements can be addressed.

 

Biomedical Ultrasound

Miniaturized
Ultrasound Systems

Miniaturized systems are key to mobile ultrasoundapplications like in emergency medicine. We offer two lines of develoment basing on an ultrasmall 8-channel and a scalable multi-channel electronics.

 

Technical Ultrasound

Ultrasonic
Research System

Multi-channel ultrasound inspection systems have already established themselves completely in non-destructive material testing and quality control. The multi-channel ultrasound inspection systems developed at Fraunhofer IBMT offer open access to all control parameters and all acquired raw data.

Technical Ultrasound

Multiplexer
Development

By using individual multiplexer solutions, the "DiPhAS" ultrasonic research system can be quickly and easily adapted to transducers with up to 1024 elements.

 

Technical Ultrasound

Single Channel
Ultrasonic Systems

In industrial applications and processes, the focus of system development is usually on factors such as cost optimization, energy efficiency, miniaturization and networking. We offer a customer-specific development of single-channel ultrasound systems or system components for a wide variety of measuring tasks.

 

Technical Ultrasound

Miniaturized
Ultrasonic Systems

Miniaturized systems are the basis for small and cost effective technical ultrasonic measurement systems. We offer two lines of develoment basing on an ultrasmall 8-channel and a scalable multi-channel electronics.

 

Sonar

Sonar
Research System

The scalable ultrasonic research system "DiPhAS" developed at Fraunhofer IBMT can be adapted quickly and cost-effectively to the most diverse requirements in the field of imaging sonar measurement technology due to its modular design without the need of greater development effort. The platform offers open access to all control parameters and all levels of the signal processing chain.

Sonar

Multiplexer Development

By using individual multiplexer solutions, the "DiPhAS" ultrasonic research system can be quickly and easily adapted to antennas with up to 1024 elements.

Sonar

Compact multi-channel sonar systems

For inspection tasks in underwater areas, very large surfaces, such as ship hulls, sheet piling in port facilities or pipelines, often have to be measured with high detail resolution. Multibeam Echo Sounders (MBES), which can analyze defects and record their position, are ideal for this purpose.

Sonar

Single Channel
Sonar Systems

Our single-channel sonar systems can be used as sediment sonar (sub-bottom profiler), side view sonar (sidescanner) and for obstacle avoidance under water. The number of controllable measuring paths can be extended by suitable multiplexer solutions. Pressure-neutral designs allow the use at sea depths of up to 6,000 m.

Sonar

1024 Channel
Research System

The availability of real 2D matrix antennas requires growing number of electronic channels. Thanks to the seamless integration of four DiPhAS electronics, 1042 elements can be controlled actively and passively in parallel. This enables volumetric imaging of our water in real time, as required, for example, for the inspection of ship hulls or structures.

General Information

about the Department of Ultrasound

Technical Equipment

of the Department of Ultrasound

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We offer bachelor and master thesis, internships and practical semester work for students.

Contact Press / Media

Kerstin Knobe

Secretary

Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik IBMT
Ensheimer Straße 48
66386 St. Ingbert

Phone +49 6897 9071-301

Fax +49 6897 9071-302