Programmable echo signal switch with T/R switch for ultrasound beamforming integrated circuit and method
View Patent ↗An electrical switching array and method uses a programmable multi-channel analog switch with a high voltage T/R switch and voltage limiting circuit for ultrasound image system echo signal multiplexing beamforming receiver frontend circuit.
1. An electrical switching array circuit comprising:
at least one switching circuit;
a T switch coupled to the at least one switching circuit to increase an off-isolation of the at least one switching circuit;
a control interface coupled to the at least one switching circuit to activate and deactivate the at least one switching circuit;
a high-voltage Transmit/Receive (T/R) switch coupled to the at least one switching circuit; and
a clamping circuit coupled to the at least one switching circuit and the high-voltage T/R switch.
2. An electrical switching array comprising:
at least one switching circuit;
a control interface coupled to the at least one switching circuit to activate and deactivate the at least one switching circuit;
a high-voltage Transmit/Receive (T/R) switch coupled to the at least one switching circuit;
a clamping circuit coupled to the at least one switching circuit and the high-voltage T/R switch; and
a damping switch coupled to an output of the at least one switching circuit and to the ground.
3. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one switching circuit is a two terminal normally-on switch.
4. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one switching circuit comprises a pair of MOSFET transistors.
5. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 1 wherein the clamping circuit comprises a pair of diodes.
6. A protection circuit for a switch array circuit comprising:
a programmable on/off control digital interface;
a high-voltage transmit/receive (T/R) switch connected at an input terminal of the switch array circuit;
a voltage limiting circuit connected to the input terminal of the switch array circuit; and
an analog “T” switch coupled to the switch array circuit and ground.
7. A protection circuit for a switch array circuit comprising:
a programmable on/off control digital interface;
a high-voltage transmit/receive (T/R) switch connected at an input terminal of the switch array circuit;
a voltage limiting circuit connected to the input terminal of the switch array circuit; and
an analog damping switch coupled to an output of the switch array circuit and ground.
8. A protection circuit for an integrated electrical switch circuit comprising:
a programmable on/off control digital interface;
a plurality of high-voltage Transmit/Receive (T/R) switches connect at an input of the switch circuit;
a plurality of voltage limiting circuits connect at the input of the switch circuit; and
a plurality of “T” switches coupled to the switch circuit and to ground.
9. A protection circuit for an integrated electrical switch circuit comprising:
a programmable on/off control digital interface;
a plurality of high-voltage Transmit/Receive (T/R) switches connect at an input of the switch circuit;
a plurality of voltage limiting circuits connect at the input of the switch circuit; and
a plurality of damping switches coupled to the switch circuit and to ground.
10. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 2 wherein the at least one switching circuit is a two terminal normally-on switch.
11. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 2 wherein the at least one switching circuit comprises a pair of MOSFET transistors.
12. An electrical switching array in accordance with claim 2 wherein the clamping circuit comprises a pair of diodes.