US 10,092,192 B2 · Methods for generating multiple mismatched coded excitation signals

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for imaging based on the generation and use of mismatched coded excitation signals. Cross-correlation properties of the received signal reveal the location and/or timing and/or properties of the source. The use of mismatched signals enables spatial and/or temporal and/or functional encoding of the transmitted signals. In some embodiments, high-speed imaging may be performed by employing mismatched codes for spatial and/or temporal encoding, and by employing a subset of transducer elements as transmitters, and another subset of elements as receivers. Various example embodiments of different types of mismatched codes are provided, including codes that employ multiple frequency chirps, codes that employ concatenated multi-frequency binary phase-coded waveforms, and chirped binary phase-coded waveforms.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A method of performing encoded imaging using mismatched coded waveforms, the method comprising:

a) transmitting coded imaging energy with one or more transmitter elements such that the coded imaging energy is directed onto an object to be imaged, wherein the coded imaging energy comprises a plurality of mismatched coded waveforms that are encoded with mismatched codes;
b) receiving, with an array of receiver elements, secondary energy that is responsively generated, reflected or transmitted by the object, and thereby obtaining a set of received signals;
c) calculating cross-correlations of the set of received signals with the plurality of mismatched coded waveforms, such that the cross-correlations isolate a contribution of each mismatched coded waveform to the set of received signals;
and
d) processing the cross-correlations to generate an image;
wherein each coded mismatched waveform comprises a series of time divisions, each time division comprising a chirp;
wherein the slope of each chirp, in each time division of each mismatched coded waveform, is unique;
and
wherein each mismatched coded waveform has an associated frequency range, such that the frequency ranges of the mismatched coded waveforms overlap at least in part.

6 more elements

A method of performing encoded imaging, the method comprising:

a) transmitting coded imaging energy with one or more transmitter elements such that the coded imaging energy is directed onto an object to be imaged, wherein the coded imaging energy comprises a plurality of mismatched coded waveforms that are encoded with mismatched codes;
b) receiving, with an array of receiver elements, secondary energy that is responsively generated, reflected or transmitted by the object, and thereby obtaining a set of received signals;
c) calculating cross-correlations of the set of received signals with the plurality of mismatched coded waveforms, such that the cross-correlations isolate a contribution of each mismatched coded waveform to the set of received signals;
and
d) processing the cross-correlations to generate an image;
wherein the plurality of mismatched coded waveforms are two or more phase-coded waveforms, wherein each bit of each phase-coded waveform is chirped;
wherein the chirps within a given phase-coded waveform are equal;
and
wherein the chirps among different phased-coded waveforms are different;
and
wherein each phase-coded waveform has an associated frequency range, such that the frequency ranges of the phase-coded waveforms overlap at least in part.

8 more elements

A method of performing encoded imaging using mismatched coded waveforms, the method comprising:

a) transmitting coded imaging energy with one or more transmitter elements such that the coded imaging energy is directed onto an object to be imaged, wherein the coded imaging energy comprises a plurality of mismatched coded waveforms that are encoded with mismatched codes, wherein the one or more transmitter elements are an array of transmitter elements, and wherein the coded imaging energy emitted from each transmitter element is spatially and temporally coded, such that each transmitter element emits a unique series of mismatched coded waveforms;
b) receiving, with an array of receiver elements, secondary energy that is responsively generated, reflected or transmitted by the object, and thereby obtaining a set of received signals, wherein the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements are elements of a transducer array, such that a first subset of elements of transducer array are configured as transmitters, and a second subset of elements of the transducer array are configured as receivers;
c) calculating cross-correlations of the set of received signals with the plurality of mismatched coded waveforms, such that the cross-correlations isolate a contribution of each mismatched coded waveform to the set of received signals;
and
d) processing the cross-correlations to generate a first image;
and
e) performing the following steps one or more times:
selecting different subsets of the elements of the transducer array for the array of transmitter elements and the array of receiver elements;
and
repeating steps a) to d);
thereby obtaining one or more additional images.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for generating multiple mismatched coded excitation signals

Life of this patent

Methods for generating multiple mismatched coded excitation signals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40