Texas Instruments is now gearing up to offer a fully integrated analog front end (AFE) for portable ultrasound equipment. This is the second device of the AFE58xx family for the medical ultrasound market.

The new AFE5804 is specifically designed for ultrasound systems that require low power and small size. The eight-channel AFE consumes more than 30 per cent less power than the closest competitive device, which will help proliferate portable systems with longer battery life and better image quality.

Featuring 102 mW/channel at 1.25 nV/rtHz at 40 MSPS, the fully integrated analog offers best-in-class power performance while maintaining superior image quality in portable equipment. The eight-channel device contains a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a voltage controlled attenuator (VCA), a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), a low-pass filter (LPF) and a 12-bit, 10 MSPS to 50 MSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with LVDS data outputs.

The analog has fine-tunes the image quality, enhancing the user experience. It has excellent noise and signal handling capabilities including a 280 mVpp input range and fast overload recovery.

Programmable mode is capable to control for power/noise optimization. The AFE8504 features mode control to give designers the flexibility to programme the level of noise and power performance needed to optimize their system.

"TI's AFE58xx family allows the design of innovative ultrasound systems with superior image quality and reduced power consumption. The first device, the AFE5805, was introduced in March 2008, targeting the portable to mid-range ultrasound market. The new AFE5804 is pin-to-pin compatible to ease migration to an even lower power solution, should a design require it", said Apoorva Awasthy, business development manager, High Performance Analog, Texas Instruments India.
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In addition to the AFE58xx family, TI offers a full portfolio of integrated circuits for ultrasound systems and other medical imaging equipment, including high performance digital signal processors (DSPs), DaVinci digital media processors, OMAP application processors, high-speed data converters and amplifiers, power management, clocks and interface devices as well as wireless connectivity solutions.

TI is helping shape technology to improve the quality and accessibility of medical equipment to revolutionize healthcare. With its full range of analog and DSP products, to complete solutions, plus systems insight, global support infrastructure, advanced process technology and medical industry involvement, TI is helping make innovative medical electronics more flexible, affordable and accessible. Wit its experience in diverse markets, like wireless communications, consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace, enables engineers to meet increasing needs for higher speeds, higher precision, lower power and smaller equipment, while maintaining the high standards for quality and reliability that the medical market demands, added Awasthy.