US 12,140,714 B2
Waveform generator
Stefano Passi, Pavia (IT); Roberto Giorgio Bardelli, Como (IT); and Anna Moroni, Pavia (IT)
Assigned to STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (IT)
Filed by STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (IT)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/176,284.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000004231 (IT), filed on Feb. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0270950 A1, Sep. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. G01S 7/524 (2006.01); G06F 5/08 (2006.01); G06F 5/10 (2006.01); G06F 9/30 (2018.01); G11C 19/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 7/524 (2013.01) [G06F 9/3004 (2013.01); G06F 5/08 (2013.01); G06F 5/085 (2013.01); G06F 5/10 (2013.01); G11C 19/00 (2013.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A waveform generator, comprising:
a system control unit; and
a plurality of channels controlled by the system control unit and configured to supply a corresponding plurality of driving signals, wherein each driving signal is configured to drive a respective transducer of an array of transducers;
wherein each channel comprises:
a sequential access memory having a plurality of rows, wherein each row stores an instruction word configured to generate a respective step of a waveform, and a memory output defined by an output row at a fixed location, wherein the waveform is defined by a block of instruction words; and
an internal control unit configured to sequentially move instruction words of the sequential access memory, based on the instruction word currently at the memory output, so that sequences of instruction words are provided at the output row.