Scalable intersample interpolation architecture for high-channel-count beamformers

Modern ultrasound scanners utilize digital beamformers that operate on sampled and quantized echo signals. Timing precision is of essence for achieving good focusing. The direct way to achieve it is through the use of high sampling rates, but that is not economical, so interpolation between echo samples is used. This paper presents methods for combining a high quality interpolation algorithm with the dynamic delay-and-sum focusing of a digital beamformer in a resource-efficient way. The approach allows building high channel count beamformers while maintaining high image quality due to the use of sophisticated intersample interpolation.