A high performance board for acquisition of 64-channel ultrasound RF data

The experimental test of new advanced ultrasound techniques frequently requires the acquisition of raw radiofrequency (RF) data from the individual elements of an array probe. The throughput rate and the total amount of these “pre-beamforming” data can be so high that only the most advanced research platforms are equipped to perform such acquisition, but may have difficulties to extend it over suitably long time intervals. In this paper, we report on the development of a high capacity (up to 36 GB) memory board which can be installed inside the Ultrasound Advanced Open Platform (ULAOP). 64 channel raw RF data can be acquired without interfering with the programmed real-time operation modalities of the system. Examples of application are discussed.