STMicroelectronics STHVUP64 64-Channel Ultrasound Transmitter
STMicroelectronics STHVUP64 64-Channel Ultrasound Transmitter is a monolithic, high-voltage/high-speed pulse generator featuring 64x independent channels integrating a 64-channel beamformer for pulse generation. The STHVUP64 targets multi-channel medical ultrasound applications, specifically low-power ultra-portable systems. A pure analog section provides each channel two half-bridges (two high-voltage P-channel and two high-voltage N-channel MOSFETs), a clamping-to-ground circuit, and a transmitting/receiving switch structure which guarantees effective isolation during the transmission phase. Each channel also features integrated high-voltage level translators, noise-blocking diodes, and an anti-leakage circuit.
Channels can be programmed as a 3-level or 5-level output through a dedicated bit. In 3-level mode, the two half-bridges are driven in parallel to provide a default peak current of 400mA. However, it is also possible to program a low-consumption mode to decrease the overall power consumption. In this case, only one half-bridge is used, and the output current lowers to 200mA. In 5-level mode, the two half-bridges can be driven independently, and each half-bridge has a current capability of 200mA. The clamp circuit forces the XDCR<63:0> output pins down to GND with a resistance of 45Ω and a peak current capability of 0.32A. The 64x independent T/R switches can be used in a multiplexing configuration.
The STMicroelectronics STHVUP64 also includes some global blocks: thermal protection circuits, undervoltage checks on VDDP3V3/VDDM3V3/DVDD, a power-on-reset (POR) on DVDD, and a global self-biased high-voltage MOSFET gate driver with an internal assessment of the correct value and the HV supplies. All functions are managed by a digital core working at a maximum clock frequency of 200MHz. This block manages the delay profiles used in the beamformer, the waveform generation, and the various global settings while granting all the device operations are performed in the correct sequence.
Features
- 0 to 200V output signal peak-to-peak
- Gate drivers with self-biased architecture, no filtering capacitors required
- Pulsed wave (PW) and continuous wave (CW) mode operations
- 3- or 5-level output waveform
- High impedance state
- Programmable ±200mA or ±400mA source and sink current in a 3-level configuration
- ±200mA source and sink current in a 5-level configuration
- Fully integrated real clamping-to-ground function, 45Ω clamp resistance
- Fully integrated transmitting/receiving switches (TR_SW)
- 45Ω ON-resistance
- 18pF ON-capacitance
- 3pF OFF-capacitance at LVOUT pin
- Compliant with receiver multiplexing function
- Auxiliary integrated circuits
- Noise blocking diodes
- Thermal protection
- Undervoltage protection and bias supply checks
- Programmable power management to optimize the performances in ultra-portable applications
- Beamforming in transmission mode
- Programmable single-channel delay for beam steering and beam focusing
- Clock frequency up to 200MHz
- 5ns delay resolution
- From 5ns to 20µs delay range at 200MHz
- 3µs minimum delay table writing time
- Embedded memory to store transmission patterns
- 32 states for waveform definition
- Waveform compression algorithm
- Easy driving control
- Control through standard Quad Serial Peripheral Interface (QSPI)
- Few input signals to drive several devices
- Single Interrupt as an alert signal
- Single Trigger to manage transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phases, fully automatic and programmable
- Anti-glitch on the trigger signal during TX phase
- Checksum control
- Very low package thermal resistance
- Latch-up free due to HV SOI technology
- 10mm x 10mm BGA package with 196 balls and a 0.65mm pitch
Applications
- Medical ultrasound imaging
- Pulse waveform generators
- Ultra-portable ultrasound imaging
- Piezoelectric transducer drivers