Efficient FPGA Firmware Coding for High Frame Rate Ultrasound Imaging

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This PhD proposal fits within several larger interdisciplinary projects aimed at producing a diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound imaging tools. The objective of the overall project is to develop FPGA firmware code for a configurable high speed ultrasonic research tool known as the Ultrasound Array Research Platform (UARP). The UARP project is an ultrasound platform with three implementations; a high speed, 128 channel system for diagnostic imaging, 16 channel discrete transducer system for industrial applications, and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system, known as the HIFU Array Research Platform (HIFUARP). All the UARP platforms incorporate an array of high speed ADCs and FPGAs and can perform variety of imaging and therapeutic modalities. Research highlights a need to use both the imaging and HIFUARP at the same time, for ultrasound guided HIFU therapy. The project will first develop a method to control both the imaging and therapy systems as one, with precise timing to allow the development of advanced multi-mode sequences combining imaging and therapeutic ultrasound.This research will then focus on design and implementation issues of an efficient signal/image processing sub-system for a very high frame rate ultrasonic imaging system. This work proposes to investigate various adaptive beamforming algorithms which may provide run-time reconfigurability in accordance to changing applications. Techniques like adaptive plane wave beamforming will be investigated for implementation in reconfigurable hardware with feature of run-time adaptability. To tackle the challenges of artefact removal in ultrasound imaging, adaptive image processing algorithms will be investigated with additional feature of run-time reconfigurability. The work will explore previous efforts made in the field of adaptive image processing algorithms and train the reconfigurable image processing system to adapt to the best technique depending upon nature of the application.The outcomes from the project will further develop the imaging and therapy suite for a clinical prototype.