Aberration correction without the need for a beacon signal

Phase aberrations induced by spatial inhomogeneities in the index of refraction are a major problem in all coherent imaging systems. In the present work, methods for phase aberration correction applicable to all coherent imaging systems, and especially to medical ultrasound imaging using array transducers, are discussed. In particular, a method for aberration correction that has no need for a beacon or an ideal point reflector to act as a source for estimating phase errors is presented. The results of measurements on actual array transducers demonstrate the utility of the method