LOG compression effect on the mean value of the envelope detected scattering signals. Theoretical formulation, computer simulation and experimental result

The LOG compression technique is commonly used in medical ultrasound imaging to show the weak scattering signals on the same scale as the strong specular reflections. This transformation changes the statistical nature of the envelope detected signal from Rayleigh to doubly exponential distribution. Theoretically the authors have found the relationship between the mean values of the pre- and post-compressed data. A computer simulation verified the theoretical prediction, and experimental data support the results. The results of the study imply that for the tests which use the relative signal level such as SNR, either the pre- or the post-compressed data can be used