Low-Power, High-Performance, Fully Integrated Octal Ultrasound Receiver (Octal LNA, VGA, AAF, ADC, and CWD Beamformer)

The MAX2079 fully integrated octal ultrasound receiver is optimized for high channel count, high-performance portable and cart-based ultrasound systems. The easy-to-use integrated receiver allows the user to achieve high-end 2D and Doppler imaging capability using substantially less space and power. The highly compact low-noise amplifier (LNA), variable-gain amplifier (VGA), anti-alias filter (AAF), analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and digital highpass filter (HPF) achieve an ultra-low 2.8dB noise figure at RS = RIN = 200Ω with a very low 120mW per channel power dissipation at 50Msps. The full receive channel has been optimized for second-harmonic imaging with an exceptional 76dBFS SNR over a 2MHz bandwidth, and -70dBc second-harmonic distortion at fRF = 5MHz over the full receiver gain range. Near-carrier dynamic range has also been optimized for exceptional pulsed and color-flow Doppler performance under high-clutter conditions. The bipolar front-end and CMOS ADC achieve an exceptional near-carrier SNR of 137dBFS/Hz at 1kHz from a 5MHz tone for excellent low-velocity Doppler sensitivity.

The device also includes an octal CWD beamformer for a full Doppler solution. Separate mixers for each channel are available for optimal CWD sensitivity.

The MAX2079 octal ultrasound front-end is available in a small, 10mm × 10mm, CTBGA package and is specified over the 0°C to +70°C temperature range.

Applications

* Medical Ultrasound Imaging * Sonar

* Minimizes PCB Area and Design Cost

* 8 Full Channels of LNA, VGA, AAF, 12-Bit ADC, Digital HPF and CWD Mixer Beamformer in a Small, 10mm × 10mm CTBGA Package

* Improves System Sensitivity

* Ultra-Low Full-Channel Noise Figure of 2.8dB at RS = RIN = 200Ω

* Improves System Dynamic Range

* 76dBFS Image Path SNR Over 2MHz Bandwidth at fRF = 5MHz

* 137dBFS/Hz Image Path SNR at 1kHz Offset from fRF = 5MHz

* Consumes Less Power

* Ultra-Low Power of Only 120mW per Full Channel in Imaging Mode at 50Msps

* Selectable Active Input Impedance Matching of 50Ω, 100Ω, 200Ω, and 1kΩ

* Programmable VGA Output Clamp

* Integrated Selectable 3-Pole 9MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, and 18MHz Butterworth Anti-Alias Filter

* Programmable, Digital Highpass, 2-Pole Filter

* Serial LVDS Digital Outputs

* Fast Recovery Low-Power Modes (< 2µs)

* Separate Channel I/Q CWD Mixers for Improved Dynamic Range and Sensitivity