An optimized software-based echo-processing algorithm for small scale ultrasound systems

A software-based ultrasound system using commercial DSP processors has the advantages of easy reconfiguration and reuse of previous designs, offering reduced development cost and time. In general, however, software implementation of major signal processing blocks of ultrasound imaging systems requires a much higher computational power than that of the most advanced DSP processors currently available. Therefore, it is very important to find a method for optimally mapping the existing algorithms to a target DSP system. In this paper, we will show the results of software implementation of the echo processor block of a conventional ultrasound imaging system and propose a new echo processing algorithm optimized for implementation with the TMS320C6202 processor.