Echography using correlation techniques: choice of coding signal

Theoretical studies made in the early 1980´s suggest that ultrasonic imaging using correlation technique can overcome some of the drawbacks of classical pulse echography. Indeed by transmitting a continuous coded signal and then compressing it into a short, high resolution pulse at the receiver the total signal to noise ratio (SNR) is improved. The target location is determined by cross correlation of the emitted and the received signal. The band compression allows, by increasing SNR, the retrieval of echo signals buried in the receiver noise. Thus in medical-type echography, where the signal attenuation at fixed depth is proportional to the frequency, the SNR improvement allows the use of higher frequency signals and leads to improved resolution. We report here the results of comparative experimental studies of simple echo B type images as obtained by the classical pulse echo and correlation techniques. Because the optimisation of the coded signal plays a crucial role in the performance of the correlation technique we will also present a comparative study of the performances of the most common codes (m-sequences and complementary series). In particular we shall emphasise the following points: the relative importance of the central lobe as compared to the side lobes of the correlation function, which is directly related to the dynamic of the imaging system, the width of the correlation peak which is directly related to the axial resolution of the system, the facility of the realisation. The merit of B-mode images obtained with the coded signals will be discussed showing that as far as signal modulation is used the best results are obtained with periodic m-sequences.<>