High-Speed Ultrasound Beamforming Source Driver From Supertex Delivers Sharper Images for Medical Ultrasound Applications

High-Speed Ultrasound Beamforming Source Driver From Supertex Delivers Sharper Images for Medical Ultrasound Applications

MD2133 Features High-Speed SPI Interface to Achieve Per-Scan-Line Fast Data Updating for Dynamically Changing Delay Time, Weighting and Waveforms

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 20, 2014) - Supertex (NASDAQ: SUPX), a recognized leader in high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (ICs), introduces the MD2133, a high-speed source-driver for pulsed current applications. The MD2133 is programmable, and is targeted for medical ultrasound beam-forming applications. It can also be used in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) using ultrasound, Laser Diode Drive, and other instrumentation applications such as arbitrary waveform generation.

The MD2133 contains CMOS digital logic input circuits, an 8-bit current DAC for aperture weighting control, as well as an 8-bit fast pulse current switch matrix. The MD2133 supports both Pulse-Current Amplitude Modulation (PAM) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) with an in-phase and quadrature I-Q current-switch, and a built-in sine and cosine angle-to-vector look-up table. The angular resolution of the vector table is 1.4°/step with a total range of 256 steps/360°. The 8x1k bits waveform memory can pre-store data for up to four waveforms. The stored parameters for each include data length, start address, cycle limits or continuous looping mode, the transmit frequency pre-scale (N divisor), selection for polarity swapping (fast launch), chirp-up /down for FM and forward / reverse transmit (time-symmetrical waveforms for fewer data points). Two SSTL differential clock inputs control all the waveform writing, read back, transmit delay, and frequencies. The high-speed SPI bus enables fast data updates per-scan-line updating for dynamically changing delay times, as well as for weighting and waveform selection.

"The MD2133 provides a versatile tool for our traditional ultrasound customers, providing significant value for decreasing the load on system processor resources by placing the waveform management tools on board the driver," states Jimes Lei, Director of Applications Engineer for Supertex.  

The MD2133 is available in a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS compliant 40-lead (5x5) QFN package (MD2133K7-G). Lead-time for production quantities is 4-6 weeks, ARO. Pricing is US$5.92 each in 1K quantities.

About Supertex Supertex, Inc. is a publicly held mixed signal semiconductor manufacturer, focused in high voltage interface products for use in the medical ultrasound, LED lighting, printer and display, industrial and telecommunication industries. Supertex product, corporate and financial information is readily available at www.supertex.com.

Corporate Headquarters: Christine Mahiya Marketing Communications Manager 408/222-4858 [e-mail]