MRI apparatus with flexible gradient control

A magnetic resonance apparatus which includes:

• a gradient system (3, 7) for generating L gradient fields in a measuring volume (29) of the apparatus, which gradient system includes a number of N (N>L) mutually independent channels (3-i, 7-i), each of which consists of a gradient amplifier (7-i), with a signal input and an output and a gradient coil (3-i) connected to the output of the gradient amplifier, and
• a conversion unit (35)
• provided with N outputs which are connected to the N signal inputs of the N gradient amplifiers (3-i) in a one-to-one association, and
• provided with inputs, a number L of which is arranged to receive L gradient signals (Gi) representing the gradient fields to be generated,
• which conversion unit is arranged to convert, in conformity with a conversion algorithm stored in the conversion unit, at least the L gradient signals applied to the inputs into N control signals for controlling the N gradient amplifiers, characterized in that
• the conversion unit is provided with N inputs, the other N-L inputs of which are arranged to receive N-L other signals (λi) which can be chosen independently of the gradient signals,
• and that the conversion unit is arranged to convert, in conformity with the conversion algorithm stored in the conversion unit and together with the L gradient signals (Gi) applied to the first L inputs, the N-L other signals (λi) applied to the other N-L inputs into N control signals for controlling the N gradient amplifiers.