Single-chip ultra high slew-rate pulse generator for ultrasound scanner applications

Abstract

This study proposes a single-chip architecture of ultra high slew-rate pulse generator to support ultrasound scanners for a wide range of frequency operation. The proposed pulse generator consists of two level shifters, two pre-driving circuits, and a high-voltage push-pull output stage. The level shifters shift the input low level signals to higher positive/lower negative level signals for push/pull output devices. The pulse generator can produce 59.4 Vpp output pulses with rising and falling times of 11.4 ns and 11 ns, respectively, under a 100-resistance parallel with a 100-pF capacitance load. © 2013 IEEE.