Multi-element transmit RF chain with local automatic tune and match device

1. An automatic tune and match device, comprising:

a reflected power sensor which detects power reflected from a load;

an LC matching circuit connected to the load, the LC matching circuit being programmable to minimize the reflected power, wherein the LC matching circuit includes an inductor matrix and a capacitor matrix; and

a matrix controller which configures at least one of the inductor matrix and capacitor matrix based on the detected reflected power,

wherein the matrix controller includes:

a look-up table of a plurality known impedance mismatches, each known impedance mismatch being associated with a corresponding inductor matrix setting and capacitor matrix setting; and

a memory element which stores the known impedance mismatches and corresponding inductor and capacitor matrix settings.

2. The automatic tune and match device of claim 1 , wherein the inductor matrix is in series between a transmitter and the load and the capacitor matrix is in parallel between the transmitter and the load to minimize the reflected power.

3. The automatic tune and match device of claim 1 , further including:

a network switch which switches the LC matching circuit to one of a forward L-network, rear L-network, and a π-network parallel configuration.

4. The automatic tune and match device of claim 1 , further including a transmitter amplifier connected with the load to supply power thereto, wherein the matrix controller adjusts the inductor matrix and capacitor matrix to the impedance of the load and the transmitter amplifier.

5. The automatic tune and match device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of:

the inductor matrix includes a plurality inductors of differing magnitudes, each inductor being coupled to a corresponding switch which selectively switches the inductor to one of an active or inactive state; and

the capacitor matrix includes a plurality capacitors of differing magnitudes, each capacitor being coupled to a corresponding switch which switches the inductor to one of an active or inactive state.

6. The automatic tune and match device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix controller is configured to iteratively determine new inductor and capacitor matrix settings and store the new inductor and capacitor matrix settings in the memory element.

7. A magnetic resonance system, comprising:

a magnet which generates a static magnetic field in an examination region;

a radiofrequency (RF) coil assembly configured to induce and manipulate magnetic resonance in a subject in the examination region and/or acquire magnetic resonance signals from the examination region;

an RF transmitter coupled to the RF coil assembly, wherein the RF transmitter causes the RF coil assembly to induce the magnetic resonance; and

an automatic tune and match device disposed between the RF transmitter and the RF coil assembly to match the impedance of the RF coil assembly and the RF transmitter, wherein the automatic tune and match device includes:

a reflected power sensor which detects power reflected from the RF coil assembly; and

an LC matching circuit connected to the RF coil assembly, the LC matching circuit being programmable to minimize the reflected power.

8. The magnetic resonance system of claim 7 , further including:

an RF receiver coupled to the RF coil assembly, the RF receiver being configured to receive the acquired magnetic resonance signals;

a switching unit to selectively couple the RF coil assembly to one of the RF transmitter and RF receiver, the automatic tune and match device being disposed between one of:

(1) the RF coil assembly and the switching unit to match an impedance of the RF coil assembly and an impedance of the RF receiver; and

(2) the RF transmitter and the switching unit.

9. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 7 , further including:

a scan controller which controls the automatic tune and match device to detect and minimize reflected power at the RF coil assembly.

10. The magnetic resonance system of claim 9 , wherein the scan controller controls the automatic tune and match device to detect and minimize reflected power at the RF coil assembly between image acquisitions.

11. The magnetic resonance system of claim 7 , wherein the automatic tune and match device is integrated into the RF coil assembly.

12. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 11 , wherein the automatic tune and match device integrated into the RF coil assembly is disposed within a recess of a gradient magnetic field coil.

13. A method for impedance matching, comprising:

detecting reflected power from a load; and

programming an LC matching circuit to minimize the reflected power, wherein the load includes an RF coil assembly of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and a transmitter is connected to the LC matching circuit;

positioning a subject in an examination region of the MR scanner adjacent the RF coil assembly; and

an RF transmitter transmitting an RF pulse to the RF coil assembly via the LC matching circuit, the detecting step being performed on power reflected from the RF coil assembly in response to the RF pulse.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein programming the LC matching circuit includes:

configuring an inductor matrix in series with the load; and

configuring a capacitor matrix in parallel with the inductor matrix to minimize the reflected power.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein programming the matching circuit further includes at least one of:

switching inductors of different magnitude of the inductor matrix to one of an active or inactive state; and switching capacitors of different magnitude of the capacitor matrix to one of an active or inactive state.

16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein programming the LC matching circuit includes:

switching the LC matching circuit to one of a forward L-network, rear L-network, and a π-network parallel configuration.

17. The method according to claim 13 , further including:

conducting an MR examination sequence;

moving the subject relative to the RF coil assembly during the MR examination sequence; and

during the MR examination sequence, repeating the reflected power detecting step and the matching circuit programming step.