Analog Devices Inc., a
leading provider of data-conversion technology and longtime collaborator with
the medical imaging industry, launched the fourth generation of its
award-winning octal (eight-channel) ultrasound receivers with the introduction
of two new ICs that reduce system size, complexity, and power consumption for
high-end, mid-range, and portable ultrasound systems. The need for smaller,
faster, lower-power ultrasound equipment continues to grow as hospitals, medical
clinics, and medical emergency units increasingly rely on more sophisticated
ultrasound equipment for providing diagnostic imaging.

The AD9278 and AD9279
receiver chips each integrate ADI’s world-leading data conversion technology
for low noise TGC (time-gain-control) mode performance while providing high
dynamic range I/Q demodulators that reduce the power and area for
implementation of CW (continuous wave) Doppler processing. The octal ultrasound
receivers provide the highest available output-referred large-signal SNR—up to
67 dB—enabling improved sensitivity in diagnostic ultrasound systems while
reducing board space up to 40%.

The AD9278 octal ultrasound
receiver is designed for portable ultrasound systems while the AD9279 octal
ultrasound receiver is suitable for high-end and mid-range systems. The devices
are pin- and package-compatible with each other and allow designers to use a
common PCB (printed circuit board) layout that can be leveraged across multiple
ultrasound platforms to save development time and cost.