Optimum frame interval for ultrasound image motion estimation

Extended field of view imaging depends on accurate frame-to-frame estimation of ultrasound images. Using smaller frame increments results in less decorrelation-related inaccuracy but present greater potential for cumulative error due to the increased number of estimates used over any specific dimensional interval. A theory is developed to determine an optimal inter-frame interval that provides the smallest relative dimensional error over a set of accumulated motion estimates. Numerical simulations and practical experiments reflect the same trends as the theoretical results.