Generation, Detection & Analysis of Optimally Coded Ultrasonic Waveforms

在现代通信系统中广泛使用用于传输、检测和识别电子数据的复杂编码方案。尽管近年来超声波系统的使用越来越多，但其巨大的潜力实际上还没有被开发出来。尽管机械波的产生、传播和检测受到限制，但这种情况令人惊讶，因为蝙蝠和海豚等生物的自然界清楚地展示了超声波编码波形的优势，应用范围从成像到材料表征。一个主要缺点是缺乏适当的换能器设备，该换能器设备将在健壮代码实现所需的频带上操作。建议使用Grant平台，结合电子系统和换能器设计的概念，对新的编码序列、换能器和组成材料的设计进行基础和广泛的调查，以在极宽的带宽上最大限度地提高信噪比。该方法的核心将是创建新的换能器和阵列结构，允许最大限度地利用与为特定应用量身定做的新颖宽带编码激励相关的丰富数据流。在设计换能器和电子系统的同时，还将研究针对预期用途和传播环境监控并因此优化处理编码序列的技术。将涉及在气体、液体和固体介质中的成像、测距和数据通信的线性和非线性应用，从而最大限度地利用该方案可能出现的任何新技术。提出了一种综合方法，涵盖数学分析、换能器设备、仪器仪表和电子系统设计，结合具体应用，总体战略是建立一个世界领先的编码超声卓越中心，为能够跨越未来15年的一系列新的研究和应用领域奠定基础。如果成功，这一战略平台将使英国在一个将对几乎所有超声波应用产生重大影响的技术领域处于国际前沿。通过一项由领导小组参与的国际和国家合作方案，将建立实现这一愿景的基础设施，并通过年轻研究人员的适当职业发展，确保可持续性。

Sophisticated coding schemes for transmission, detection and recognition of electronic data are used extensively in modern communications systems. Despite increased usage over recent years, the vast potential for ultrasonic systems is virtually untapped. Although mechanical wave generation, propagation and detection has constraints, this situation is surprising, since the natural world of creatures such as bats and dolphins provides a very clear demonstration of the advantages of ultrasonic coded waveforms, for applications ranging from imaging through to materials characterisation. A major drawback is the lack of suitable transducer devices that will operate over the frequency band necessary for robust code implementation. It is proposed to use the Platform Grant to enable a fundamental and broad reaching investigation into the design of new coded sequences, transducers and constituent materials, allied with the concept of electronic system and transducer design to maximise signal to noise ratio over extremely wide bandwidths. Central to the approach will be the creation of new transducer and array structures allowing maximal exploitation of the rich data stream associated with novel, broadband coded excitations that are tailored for specific applications. Techniques for monitoring and hence optimising the processing coded sequences for the intended usage and propagation environment will be investigated in parallel with the transducer and electronic system design. Linear and non-linear applications covering imaging, ranging and data communication in gaseous, liquid and solid media will be addressed, thereby maximising potential uptake of any new technology that may emerge from the programme. An integrated approach, spanning mathematical analysis, transducer devices, instrumentation and electronics system design, aligned to the specific application, is proposed, with the overall strategy to establish a world leading centre of excellence in coded ultrasound, creating the foundation for a series of new areas of research and applications, capable of spanning the next 15 years. If successful, the strategic platform will place the UK at the international forefront in an area of technology that will impinge significantly on almost every application of ultrasound. Through a programme of international and national collaboration, involving leading groups, the infrastructure will be established to realise this vision and, through appropriate career development of younger researchers, will ensure sustainability.