Multi-level pulser and related apparatus and methods
AssigneeButterfly Networks, Inc.
InventorsKailiang Chen, Tyler S. Ralston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided directed to a device, including at least one ultrasonic transducer, a multi-level pulser coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; the multi-level pulser including a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages, an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, and a signal path between a first input terminal and the output terminal including a first transistor having a first conductivity type coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor having a second conductivity type coupled to a second diode.
Claims14
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one ultrasonic transducer on a first substrate;
- and
- a multi-level pulser on a second substrate coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are different substrates, the multi-level pulser including:
- a plurality of input terminals configured to receive respective input voltages;
- an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage;
- and
- a signal path between a first input terminal of the plurality of input terminals and the output terminal including a first transistor coupled to a first diode and, in parallel, a second transistor coupled to a second diode,
- wherein the first transistor is either a pMOS transistor or an nMOS transistor and the second transistor is an NMOS transistor if the first transistor is a pMOS transistor or a pMOS transistor if the first transistor is an nMOS transistor.
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one ultrasonic transducer on a first substrate, and a level shifter on a second substrate coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are different substrates, the level shifter including:
- an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage;
- an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage level-shifted from the input voltage;
- a capacitor coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal;
- and
- a diode coupled in a reverse-biased configuration between an input to an active high voltage element and a first voltage of a high voltage power supply;
- wherein the input of the active high voltage element is coupled to an output of the capacitor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.