WO2006111631A1 - Electric signal amplifier for ultrasound applications - Google Patents

Electric signal amplifier for ultrasound applications Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006111631A1
WO2006111631A1 PCT/FR2006/000789 FR2006000789W WO2006111631A1 WO 2006111631 A1 WO2006111631 A1 WO 2006111631A1 FR 2006000789 W FR2006000789 W FR 2006000789W WO 2006111631 A1 WO2006111631 A1 WO 2006111631A1
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Prior art keywords
electrical signal
signal amplifier
amplifier according
high voltage
voltage electrical
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PCT/FR2006/000789
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French (fr)
Inventor
Julien Lopez-Rios
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Ciprian
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Publication of WO2006111631A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006111631A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F1/00—Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F1/42—Modifications of amplifiers to extend the bandwidth
    • H03F1/48—Modifications of amplifiers to extend the bandwidth of aperiodic amplifiers
    • H03F1/486—Modifications of amplifiers to extend the bandwidth of aperiodic amplifiers with IC amplifier blocks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F1/00—Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements
    • H03F1/56—Modifications of input or output impedances, not otherwise provided for
    • H03F1/565—Modifications of input or output impedances, not otherwise provided for using inductive elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/534—Transformer coupled at the input of an amplifier
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
    • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
    • H03F2200/541—Transformer coupled at the output of an amplifier

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of electronics.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a high-voltage and wide-frequency electrical signal amplifier for ultrasonic applications.
  • the most common technique consists in generating an electrical signal which is then converted into an acoustic wave.
  • the conversion of the electric wave into an acoustic wave is performed by an element called a transducer.
  • the electrical wave generated to excite the transducer must have a voltage of a few tens of volts to several thousand volts.
  • the signal generated may be of various shapes: a continuous sine wave possibly modulated in amplitude or in frequency, a wave train, an impulse, a triangular or square signal, etc. , and very different frequencies: typically from a few kHz to a few GHz.
  • the technical problem to be solved by the invention is to generate such an electrical signal with a voltage of a few tens of volts to several thousand volts.
  • the prior art already knows different techniques for generating an electrical signal in order to excite a transducer.
  • the first high voltage amplifiers which operated up to several thousand volts and high frequency (up to several hundred MHz) are made by gas tubes, for example triodes or klystrons.
  • the big disadvantage is their large size and their power consumption which prevent any portable use.
  • This technique derived from sonar technology, consists in generating low voltage (typically a few volts), the electrical signal of desired shape and frequency, very often a wave train or "burst". This signal is then amplified by means of a transformer up to several thousand volts. This technique has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio: of the order of one per thousand. Unfortunately, the accessible frequency range is less than a few MHz. This is due to the fact that the material used for the transformer core has a transmission capacity of the magnetic field limited in frequency and amplitude. Indeed, for frequencies greater than a few MHz, it is not possible to properly amplify the electrical signal.
  • transistors In an attempt to solve the frequency limitations of the previous technique, amplifiers based on semiconductor technologies (transistors) have been developed, and this especially in the last thirty years. Techniques using transistors can generate electrical signals over a wide range of frequencies (from a few kHz to a few tens of MHz) with a voltage of up to a few hundred volts. However, the electrical signals thus generated are very noisy: of the order of ten percent of the signal. The noise is such that all commercial generators are provided with filters e. Thus, in practice, it is possible to work correctly only on a very small number of different frequencies, typically a few dozen.
  • a pulse also called "spike".
  • the duration of the pulse can optionally be controlled, as well as its amplitude.
  • Such a signal is often generated directly at high voltage, for example by charging a capacitor which is then quickly discharged.
  • the capacitor recharge time limits the minimum time between two successive pulses.
  • the frequency spectrum of a pulse thus generated is very broad: it can comprise a set of frequencies between a few kHz and several hundred MHz, depending on the duration of the pulse.
  • Such generators are therefore not suitable for acoustic applications that require a monochromatic signal, that is to say having a very narrow frequency spectrum.
  • such generators are not suitable for acoustic spectroscopy studies on non-linear systems.
  • the present invention aims to provide an amplifier designed to amplify an electrical signal of variable shape and frequency between 1 kHz and 1 GHz to high voltages: a few hundred or a few thousand volts.
  • the present invention relates, in its most general sense, to an electrical signal amplifier characterized in that it comprises at least one "planar" type transformer, that is to say consisting of plane turns on a printed circuit, said transformer having no core.
  • the amplifier generates a signal of frequency greater than 1 MHz.
  • said amplifier amplifies wave trains whose frequency increases gradually between, for example 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
  • said amplifier amplifies a wave whose frequency varies between 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
  • said amplifier generates a voltage signal greater than one hundred volts.
  • the primary circuits of the transformers are connected in parallel and the secondary circuits of the transformers are connected in series.
  • the present invention also relates to a spectroscope comprising an amplifier according to the invention.
  • said spectroscope comprises a feedback loop between the acoustic pressure output and the electrical signal input.
  • the present invention also relates to an electric multiplexer comprising two amplifiers, one of the amplifiers being used in reverse.
  • the amplifier according to the present invention offers the possibility of amplifying up to high voltages (several thousand volts), electrical signals of variable shapes (wave trains, pulses, continuous waves, etc.) and on a wide frequency range: from 1 kHz to 1 GHz;
  • the amplifier according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, typically at least one per thousand;
  • the amplifier according to the present invention has an optimum power consumption: only that which corresponds to the signal generated after amplification is consumed;
  • the amplifier according to the present invention has the great advantage of being compact: typically 10 cm
  • the amplifier according to the present invention allows a reversible operation, that is to say that the present invention can lower the voltage (for example a few volts) of a high voltage electrical signal (up to several thousand volts).
  • the amplifier according to the present invention can generate electrical signals at various frequencies and at very high voltages. It thus makes it possible to generate, by means of transducers having a lower efficiency, for example polymer transducers, acoustic waves of amplitude equivalent to those of acoustic waves generated by a system composed of a conventional electric generator coupled to a transducer.
  • piezoelectric reference for example the trademark Panametrics.
  • the amplifier according to the present invention which is "high voltage” and “broadband frequency” can be integrated, for example to achieve:
  • an ultrasound generator such an apparatus consists of a low-voltage electrical signal generator, for example 10 volts, of variable form, between 1 kHz and 200 MHz.
  • the electrical signal thus generated is amplified by the amplifier according to the present invention to a voltage of 500 volts and then excites a transducer, for example a piezoelectric transducer, which converts the electrical signal into an acoustic wave.
  • the multiplexer reduces the voltage of the input electrical signal so that one can use a CMOS type electronic multiplexer, which can only operate at low voltage, typically 3 volts; then, the low voltage signal thus multiplexed is amplified at the same (high) voltage as the initial signal.
  • the main advantage of such an application over existing commercial multiplexers is that the life of the device is no longer limited in number of switches, typically one million switches with the usual technology of mechanical relays; this is important for example for ultrasonic sample aging characterization and study systems: with switching per second, the current commercial systems have exceeded their average life after twelve days.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Amplifiers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric signal amplifier comprising at least one planar devoid of a core converter, i.e. consisting of planar turns on a printed circuit. A spectroscope and an electric multiplexer are also disclosed.

Description

AMPLIFICATEUR DE SIGNAUX ELECTRIQUES POUR APPLICATIONS ULTRASONORES ELECTRICAL SIGNAL AMPLIFIER FOR ULTRASONIC APPLICATIONS
La présente invention se rapporte au domaine de 1 ' électronique .The present invention relates to the field of electronics.
La présente invention se rapporte plus particulièrement à un amplificateur de signaux électriques haute tension et large bande de fréquence pour applications ultrasonores.The present invention relates more particularly to a high-voltage and wide-frequency electrical signal amplifier for ultrasonic applications.
Pour générer des ondes acoustiques, la technique la plus usuelle consiste à générer un signal électrique qui est ensuite converti en onde acoustique. La conversion de l'onde électrique en onde acoustique est réalisée par un élément nommé transducteur.To generate acoustic waves, the most common technique consists in generating an electrical signal which is then converted into an acoustic wave. The conversion of the electric wave into an acoustic wave is performed by an element called a transducer.
Selon le rendement de conversion du transducteur utilisé et selon la puissance de l'onde acoustique désirée, l'onde électrique générée pour exciter le transducteur doit avoir une tension de quelques dizaines de volts à plusieurs milliers de volts.Depending on the conversion efficiency of the transducer used and the power of the desired acoustic wave, the electrical wave generated to excite the transducer must have a voltage of a few tens of volts to several thousand volts.
Par ailleurs, selon les besoins de l'application acoustique, le signal généré peut être de formes variées : une onde sinusoïdale continue éventuellement modulée en amplitude ou en fréquence, un train d'onde, une impulsion, un signal triangulaire ou carré, etc., et de fréquences très différentes : typiquement de quelques kHz à quelques GHz.Furthermore, depending on the needs of the acoustic application, the signal generated may be of various shapes: a continuous sine wave possibly modulated in amplitude or in frequency, a wave train, an impulse, a triangular or square signal, etc. , and very different frequencies: typically from a few kHz to a few GHz.
Le problème technique que se propose de résoudre l'invention est de générer un tel signal électrique avec une tension de quelques dizaines de volts à plusieurs milliers de volts.The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to generate such an electrical signal with a voltage of a few tens of volts to several thousand volts.
L'art antérieur connaît déjà différentes techniques pour générer un signal électrique dans le but d'exciter un transducteur. Les premiers amplificateurs haute tension, qui fonctionnaient jusqu'à plusieurs milliers de volts et haute fréquence (jusqu'à plusieurs centaines de MHz) sont réalisés par des tubes à gaz, par exemple des triodes ou des klystrons. Le grand inconvénient est leur encombrement important et leur consommation électrique qui empêchent toute utilisation portable.The prior art already knows different techniques for generating an electrical signal in order to excite a transducer. The first high voltage amplifiers, which operated up to several thousand volts and high frequency (up to several hundred MHz) are made by gas tubes, for example triodes or klystrons. The big disadvantage is their large size and their power consumption which prevent any portable use.
Une première technique portable est apparue ensuite. Cette technique, issue de la technologie des sonars, consiste à générer en basse tension (typiquement quelques volts), le signal électrique de forme et de fréquence voulue, très souvent un train d'ondes ou « burst ». Ce signal est ensuite amplifié au moyen d'un transformateur jusqu'à plusieurs milliers de volts. Cette technique présente un excellent rapport signal sur bruit : de l'ordre d'un pour mille. Malheureusement, la gamme de fréquences accessibles est inférieure à quelques MHz. Ceci est dû au fait que le matériau utilisé pour le noyau du transformateur a une capacité de transmission du champ magnétique limitée en fréquence et en amplitude. En effet, pour des fréquences supérieures à quelques MHz, il n'est pas possible d'amplifier convenablement le signal électrique.A first portable technique appeared then. This technique, derived from sonar technology, consists in generating low voltage (typically a few volts), the electrical signal of desired shape and frequency, very often a wave train or "burst". This signal is then amplified by means of a transformer up to several thousand volts. This technique has an excellent signal-to-noise ratio: of the order of one per thousand. Unfortunately, the accessible frequency range is less than a few MHz. This is due to the fact that the material used for the transformer core has a transmission capacity of the magnetic field limited in frequency and amplitude. Indeed, for frequencies greater than a few MHz, it is not possible to properly amplify the electrical signal.
Afin de tenter de résoudre les limitations en fréquence de la précédente technique, des amplificateurs basés sur des technologies à semi-conducteurs (transistors) ont été développés, et ceci plus particulièrement dans les trente dernières années. Les techniques utilisant des transistors permettent de générer des signaux électriques sur une large gamme de fréquences (de quelques kHz à quelques dizaines de MHz) avec une tension pouvant aller jusqu'à quelques centaines de volts. Cependant, les signaux électriques ainsi générés sont très bruités : de l'ordre de dix pour cent du signal. Le bruit est tel que tous les générateurs du commerce sont fournis avec des filtres électroniques. Ainsi, en pratique, il n'est possible de travailler correctement que sur un nombre très restreint de fréquences différentes, typiquement une petite dizaine.In an attempt to solve the frequency limitations of the previous technique, amplifiers based on semiconductor technologies (transistors) have been developed, and this especially in the last thirty years. Techniques using transistors can generate electrical signals over a wide range of frequencies (from a few kHz to a few tens of MHz) with a voltage of up to a few hundred volts. However, the electrical signals thus generated are very noisy: of the order of ten percent of the signal. The noise is such that all commercial generators are provided with filters e. Thus, in practice, it is possible to work correctly only on a very small number of different frequencies, typically a few dozen.
On connaît également dans l'état de la technique une autre famille de techniques électroniques très répandues qui génèrent des signaux simplement sous forme d'une impulsion, également appelée « spike ». La durée de l'impulsion peut éventuellement être contrôlée, ainsi que son amplitude. Un tel signal est souvent généré directement en haute tension, par exemple en chargeant un condensateur qui est ensuite rapidement déchargé. Dans cet exemple, le temps de recharge du condensateur limite le temps minimal entre deux impulsions successives. Par ailleurs, le spectre en fréquence d'une impulsion ainsi générée est très large : il peut comprendre un ensemble de fréquences entre quelques kHz et plusieurs centaines de MHz, selon la durée de l'impulsion. De tels générateurs ne conviennent donc pas pour les applications acoustiques qui nécessitent un signal monochromatique, c'est-à-dire présentant un spectre en fréquence très étroit. Ainsi, par exemple, de tels générateurs ne conviennent pas pour des études de spectroscopie acoustique sur des systèmes non linéaires.Also known in the state of the art another family of widespread electronic techniques that generate signals simply in the form of a pulse, also called "spike". The duration of the pulse can optionally be controlled, as well as its amplitude. Such a signal is often generated directly at high voltage, for example by charging a capacitor which is then quickly discharged. In this example, the capacitor recharge time limits the minimum time between two successive pulses. Moreover, the frequency spectrum of a pulse thus generated is very broad: it can comprise a set of frequencies between a few kHz and several hundred MHz, depending on the duration of the pulse. Such generators are therefore not suitable for acoustic applications that require a monochromatic signal, that is to say having a very narrow frequency spectrum. Thus, for example, such generators are not suitable for acoustic spectroscopy studies on non-linear systems.
Enfin, si l'on désire générer une onde continue sinusoïdale, il existe une famille de techniques basées sur la résonance d'un oscillateur, par exemple un quartz. On peut ainsi générer un signal électrique haute tension à la fréquence de résonance de l'oscillateur. L'avantage est de générer directement un signal de haute tension avec un très bon rapport signal sur bruit. Toutefois, la limitation majeure est le nombre fixe (selon le générateur utilisé) de fréquences discrètes utilisables. Un autre inconvénient est la dérive de la fréquence d'oscillation avec la température de fonctionnement.Finally, if one wishes to generate a sinusoidal continuous wave, there exists a family of techniques based on the resonance of an oscillator, for example a quartz. It is thus possible to generate a high voltage electrical signal at the resonant frequency of the oscillator. The advantage is to directly generate a high voltage signal with a very good signal-to-noise ratio. However, the major limitation is the fixed number (depending on the generator used) of discrete frequencies that can be used. Another disadvantage is the drift of the oscillation frequency with the operating temperature.
La présente invention a pour but de proposer un amplificateur conçu pour amplifier un signal électrique de forme variable et de fréquence comprise entre 1 kHz et 1 GHz jusqu'à de hautes tensions : quelques centaines ou quelques milliers de volts.The present invention aims to provide an amplifier designed to amplify an electrical signal of variable shape and frequency between 1 kHz and 1 GHz to high voltages: a few hundred or a few thousand volts.
À cet effet, la présente invention concerne, dans son acception la plus générale, un amplificateur de signal électrique caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un transformateur de type « planar », c'est-à-dire constitué de spires planes sur un circuit imprimé, ledit transformateur ne comportant pas de noyau.To this end, the present invention relates, in its most general sense, to an electrical signal amplifier characterized in that it comprises at least one "planar" type transformer, that is to say consisting of plane turns on a printed circuit, said transformer having no core.
Avantageusement, l'amplificateur génère un signal de fréquence supérieure à 1 MHz.Advantageously, the amplifier generates a signal of frequency greater than 1 MHz.
Selon un mode de réalisation, ledit amplificateur amplifie des trains d'ondes, dont la fréquence augmente progressivement entre, par exemple 1 kHz et plusieurs centaines de MHz.According to one embodiment, said amplifier amplifies wave trains whose frequency increases gradually between, for example 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
Selon un mode de mise en oeuvre, ledit amplificateur amplifie une onde dont la fréquence varie entre 1 kHz et plusieurs centaines de MHz.According to one embodiment, said amplifier amplifies a wave whose frequency varies between 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
Avantageusement, ledit amplificateur génère un signal de tension supérieure à une centaine de volts.Advantageously, said amplifier generates a voltage signal greater than one hundred volts.
De préférence, les circuits primaires des transformateurs sont montés en parallèle et les circuits secondaires des transformateurs sont montés en série.Preferably, the primary circuits of the transformers are connected in parallel and the secondary circuits of the transformers are connected in series.
La présente invention se rapporte également à un spectroscope comportant un amplificateur selon l'invention. De préférence, ledit spectroscope comporte une boucle dé rétroaction entre la sortie en pression acoustique et l'entrée en signal électrique.The present invention also relates to a spectroscope comprising an amplifier according to the invention. Preferably, said spectroscope comprises a feedback loop between the acoustic pressure output and the electrical signal input.
La présente invention concerne également un multiplexeur électrique comportant deux amplificateurs, l'un des amplificateurs étant utilisé en inverse.The present invention also relates to an electric multiplexer comprising two amplifiers, one of the amplifiers being used in reverse.
On comprendra mieux l'invention à l'aide de la description, faite ci-après à titre purement explicatif, d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention.The invention will be better understood by means of the description, given below purely for explanatory purposes, of one embodiment of the invention.
L'absence de noyau diminue le rendement de conversion en tension des transformateurs. Cependant, cela évite les limitations liées à la saturation en champ électromagnétique des noyaux. Ainsi, il devient possible d'amplifier un signal électrique avec ces transformateurs sur une grande gamme de fréquences et jusqu'à de grandes tensions.The absence of core decreases the voltage conversion efficiency of the transformers. However, this avoids the limitations related to the electromagnetic field saturation of the nuclei. Thus, it becomes possible to amplify an electrical signal with these transformers over a wide range of frequencies and up to high voltages.
Le fait d'utiliser des transformateurs de technologies « planar » donc constitués de parties de circuits imprimés permet aisément des assemblages de plusieurs dizaines de transformateurs et donc de trouver un bon rendement global.The fact of using "planar" technology transformers thus made of printed circuit parts easily allows assemblies of several tens of transformers and thus to find a good overall performance.
Parmi les nombreux avantages de l'invention, on pourra citer les suivants :Among the many advantages of the invention, the following may be mentioned:
• l'amplificateur selon la présente invention offre la possibilité d'amplifier jusqu'à de hautes tensions (plusieurs milliers de volts), des signaux électriques de formes variables (trains d'ondes, impulsions, ondes continues, etc.) et sur une gamme étendue de fréquences : de 1 kHz à 1 GHz ;The amplifier according to the present invention offers the possibility of amplifying up to high voltages (several thousand volts), electrical signals of variable shapes (wave trains, pulses, continuous waves, etc.) and on a wide frequency range: from 1 kHz to 1 GHz;
• l'amplificateur selon la présente invention permet d'obtenir un excellent rapport signal sur bruit, typiquement au moins un pour mille ; • l'amplificateur selon la présente invention a une consommation électrique optimale : on ne consomme que ce qui correspond au signal généré après amplification ;The amplifier according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, typically at least one per thousand; The amplifier according to the present invention has an optimum power consumption: only that which corresponds to the signal generated after amplification is consumed;
• l'amplificateur selon la présente invention offre le grand avantage d'être peu encombrant : typiquement 10 cmThe amplifier according to the present invention has the great advantage of being compact: typically 10 cm
* 10 cm * 0,2 cm ;* 10 cm * 0.2 cm;
• l'amplificateur selon la présente invention permet un fonctionnement réversible, c'est-à-dire que la présente invention peut abaisser la tension (par exemple à quelques volts) d'un signal électrique de haute tension (jusqu'à plusieurs milliers de volts).The amplifier according to the present invention allows a reversible operation, that is to say that the present invention can lower the voltage (for example a few volts) of a high voltage electrical signal (up to several thousand volts).
L'amplificateur selon la présente invention peut générer des signaux électriques à des fréquences variées et sous de très hautes tensions. Il permet ainsi de générer au moyen de transducteurs ayant un moins bon rendement, par exemple des transducteurs en polymère, des ondes acoustiques d'amplitude équivalente à celles d'ondes acoustiques générées par un système composé d'un générateur électrique classique couplé à un transducteur piézoélectrique de référence, par exemple de la marque déposée Panametrics.The amplifier according to the present invention can generate electrical signals at various frequencies and at very high voltages. It thus makes it possible to generate, by means of transducers having a lower efficiency, for example polymer transducers, acoustic waves of amplitude equivalent to those of acoustic waves generated by a system composed of a conventional electric generator coupled to a transducer. piezoelectric reference, for example the trademark Panametrics.
L'amplificateur selon la présente invention qui est « haute tension » et « large bande en fréquence » peut être intégré, par exemple pour réaliser :The amplifier according to the present invention which is "high voltage" and "broadband frequency" can be integrated, for example to achieve:
• un générateur d'ultrasons ; un tel appareil est constitué d'un générateur de signal électrique basse tension, par exemple 10 volts, de forme variable, entre 1 kHz et 200 MHz. Le signal électrique ainsi généré est amplifié par l'amplificateur selon la présente invention jusqu'à une tension de 500 volts et excite alors un transducteur, par exemple piézoélectrique, qui convertit le signal électrique en onde acoustique.• an ultrasound generator; such an apparatus consists of a low-voltage electrical signal generator, for example 10 volts, of variable form, between 1 kHz and 200 MHz. The electrical signal thus generated is amplified by the amplifier according to the present invention to a voltage of 500 volts and then excites a transducer, for example a piezoelectric transducer, which converts the electrical signal into an acoustic wave.
• un appareil de mesures de signaux haute tension ; dans des expériences utilisant des ondes acoustiques, il est intéressant de mesurer le signal acoustique réellement émis. Pour ce faire, grâce au caractère réversible de l'amplificateur selon la présente invention, il est possible de réduire, par exemple à 10 volts, la tension mesurée aux bornes du transducteur utilisé pour l'émission acoustique et ainsi la convertir en signal numérique à l'aide de convertisseurs analogique-numérique usuels.• a device for measuring high voltage signals; in experiments using acoustic waves it is interesting to measure the acoustic signal actually emitted. To do this, thanks to the reversible nature of the amplifier according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce, for example to 10 volts, the voltage measured across the transducer used for the acoustic emission and thus convert it into a digital signal. using conventional analog-to-digital converters.
• un multiplexeur de signaux électriques haute tension et large bande en fréquence ; un tel appareil permet d'exciter et/ou mesurer successivement différents transducteurs avec un seul et même générateur d'ultrasons sans avoir à brancher ou débrancher des connecteurs. Le multiplexeur selon la présente invention réduit la tension du signal électrique d'entrée de sorte que l'on puisse utiliser un multiplexeur électronique type CMOS, qui ne peut fonctionner qu'à basse tension, typiquement 3 volts ; ensuite, le signal basse tension ainsi multiplexe est amplifié à la même (haute) tension que le signal initial. L'avantage principal d'une telle application par rapport aux multiplexeurs du commerce existants est que la durée de vie de l'appareil n'est plus limitée en nombre de commutations, typiquement un million de commutations avec la technologie usuelle des relais mécaniques ; ceci est important par exemple pour des systèmes de caractérisation et d'étude de vieillissement d'échantillons par ultrasons : avec une commutation par seconde, les systèmes commerciaux actuels ont dépassé leur durée de vie en moyenne au bout de douze jours.• a multiplexer of high voltage electrical signals and wide frequency band; such an apparatus can excite and / or successively measure different transducers with a single ultrasound generator without having to connect or disconnect connectors. The multiplexer according to the present invention reduces the voltage of the input electrical signal so that one can use a CMOS type electronic multiplexer, which can only operate at low voltage, typically 3 volts; then, the low voltage signal thus multiplexed is amplified at the same (high) voltage as the initial signal. The main advantage of such an application over existing commercial multiplexers is that the life of the device is no longer limited in number of switches, typically one million switches with the usual technology of mechanical relays; this is important for example for ultrasonic sample aging characterization and study systems: with switching per second, the current commercial systems have exceeded their average life after twelve days.
• une rétroaction pour obtenir un signal acoustique généré d'amplitude constante quelle que soit la fréquence et quelle que soit la nature du transducteur utilisé ; la mesure pour une telle rétroaction est possible en pratique sans perturber le système de génération des ondes acoustiques grâce au système de mesure de signaux électriques haute tension et large bande en fréquence décrit ci-dessus.Feedback to obtain an acoustic signal generated of constant amplitude whatever the frequency and whatever the nature of the transducer used; the measurement for such feedback is possible in practice without disturbing the acoustic wave generation system by means of the signal measuring system high voltage electrical and wide frequency band described above.
L'invention est décrite dans ce qui précède à titre d'exemple. Il est entendu que l'homme du métier est à même de réaliser différentes variantes de l ' invention sans pour autant sortir du cadre du brevet. The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the skilled person is able to realize different variants of the invention without departing from the scope of the patent.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un transformateur de type « planar », c'est-à-dire constitué de spires planes sur un circuit imprimé, ledit transformateur ne comportant pas de noyau.1. high voltage electrical signal amplifier characterized in that it comprises at least one type of transformer "planar", that is to say consisting of plane turns on a printed circuit, said transformer having no core.
2. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il génère un signal de fréquence supérieure à 1 MHz.2. high voltage electrical signal amplifier according to claim 1, characterized in that it generates a frequency signal greater than 1 MHz.
3. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il amplifie des trains d'ondes, dont la fréquence augmente progressivement entre, par exemple 1 kHz et plusieurs centaines de MHz.3. high voltage electrical signal amplifier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it amplifies wave trains, whose frequency increases gradually between, for example 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
4. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il amplifie une onde dont la fréquence varie entre 1 kHz et plusieurs centaines de MHz.4. high voltage electrical signal amplifier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it amplifies a wave whose frequency varies between 1 kHz and several hundred MHz.
5. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension selon l'une au moins des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'il génère un signal de tension supérieure à une centaine de volts.5. high voltage electrical signal amplifier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it generates a voltage signal greater than one hundred volts.
6. Amplificateur de signal électrique haute tension selon l'une au moins des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les circuits primaires des transformateurs sont montés en parallèle et en ce que les circuits secondaires des transformateurs sont montés en série. High-voltage electrical signal amplifier according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the primary circuits of the transformers are connected in parallel and that the secondary circuits of the transformers are connected in series.
7. Spectroscope comportant un amplificateur selon l'une au moins des revendications 1 à 6.Spectroscope comprising an amplifier according to at least one of claims 1 to 6.
8. Spectroscope selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une boucle dé rétroaction entre la sortie en pression acoustique et l'entrée en signal électrique.8. Spectroscope according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a feedback loop between the acoustic pressure output and the electrical signal input.
9. Multiplexeur électrique comportant deux amplificateurs selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 àElectrical multiplexer comprising two amplifiers according to any one of claims 1 to
6, l'un des amplificateurs étant utilisé en inverse. 6, one of the amplifiers being used in reverse.
PCT/FR2006/000789 2005-04-20 2006-04-10 Electric signal amplifier for ultrasound applications WO2006111631A1 (en)

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FR0550998 2005-04-20
FR0550998A FR2884985B1 (en) 2005-04-20 2005-04-20 ELECTRICAL SIGNAL AMPLIFIER FOR ULTRASONIC APPLICATIONS

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Citations (7)

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EP0460895A2 (en) * 1990-06-04 1991-12-11 General Electric Company Gradient speed-up circuit for NMR apparatus
US5477204A (en) * 1994-07-05 1995-12-19 Motorola, Inc. Radio frequency transformer
EP0935263A2 (en) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-11 City University of Hong Kong Operating techniques for coreless printed-circuit-board (PCB) transformers
US6424227B1 (en) * 2001-05-23 2002-07-23 National Scientific Corporation Monolithic balanced RF power amplifier
US20030020583A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2003-01-30 Hui Ron Shu Yuen Planar printed-circuit-board transformers with effective electromagnetic interference (emi) shielding
EP1420420A2 (en) * 2002-10-23 2004-05-19 International Rectifier Corporation Planar transformer arrangement
WO2005027156A2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-24 South Bank University Enterprises Ltd. Dsl modem and transformer

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6577219B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-06-10 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Multiple-interleaved integrated circuit transformer

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0460895A2 (en) * 1990-06-04 1991-12-11 General Electric Company Gradient speed-up circuit for NMR apparatus
US5477204A (en) * 1994-07-05 1995-12-19 Motorola, Inc. Radio frequency transformer
EP0935263A2 (en) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-11 City University of Hong Kong Operating techniques for coreless printed-circuit-board (PCB) transformers
US6424227B1 (en) * 2001-05-23 2002-07-23 National Scientific Corporation Monolithic balanced RF power amplifier
US20030020583A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2003-01-30 Hui Ron Shu Yuen Planar printed-circuit-board transformers with effective electromagnetic interference (emi) shielding
EP1420420A2 (en) * 2002-10-23 2004-05-19 International Rectifier Corporation Planar transformer arrangement
WO2005027156A2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-24 South Bank University Enterprises Ltd. Dsl modem and transformer

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FR2884985B1 (en) 2007-09-21

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