TI drives new market of handheld ultrasound systems with industry's smallest,
lowest-power analog front ends
New 8-channel and 16-channel devices are 70 percent smaller and use 40 percent
less power
DALLAS, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI)
(NYSE: TXN) today introduced two new integrated analog front ends (AFEs) for
handheld ultrasound systems. The newest members of TI's AFE family for medical
ultrasound, the industry-first 16-channel AFE5851 and the 8-channel AFE5801
bring breakthrough power efficiency and smaller footprint to support the new
market for handheld ultrasound systems that can fit in a doctor's pocket (see
http://www.ti.com/afe5801-pr).
New uses of electronic medical devices and emerging economies are driving
the need for innovative, handheld ultrasound systems. Doctors in remote
regions and medical technicians in first responder situations need a
non-invasive tool for accurate, on-site diagnosis. By carrying a system at all
times, doctors can also use ultrasound for new application areas, such as
diagnosis of cardiac conditions.
"We expect a broad range of new applications to emerge as ultrasound
systems become handheld. Imagine how many more people could receive fast,
effective medical diagnosis and treatment if every doctor could carry an
ultrasound device in the pocket, just like a stethoscope," said Matt Harrison,
general manager of TI's Medical business unit. "Portable ultrasound
manufacturers choose the AFE58xx family for its high integration and power and
noise optimization. With the new AFE5851 and AFE5801, TI is enabling high
image quality with even lower power consumption to address this new market for
small, handheld systems."
Smallest size for lowest power
The new AFE5851 features 39 mW/channel at 32.5 MSPS and integrates 16
variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) and eight 12-bit, 65-MSPS analog to digital
converters (ADCs). The ADC is shared between two VGAs and each VGA
differential output is sampled at alternate clock cycles to optimize power
efficiency. The ADC has scalable power consumption to further lower power use
with lower sampling rates. The AFE5851's high channel count and low-power
features allow for increased channel density in handheld ultrasound systems.
The second new device, the AFE5801, features 50 mW/channel at 30 MSPS and
58 mW/channel at 50 MSPS and integrates eight VGAs and eight 12-bit, 65 MSPS
high-speed ADCs with LVDS data outputs.
Both the AFE5851 and AFE5801 can be preceded by a transformer or an
off-chip low-noise amplifier, which can be located on the probe. This new
architecture results in at least 40 percent power savings when compared to
other devices currently available on the market.
Available in a 9 mm x 9 mm package, the two new AFE58xx devices are the
smallest analog front ends currently available in the market with a 70 percent
smaller footprint than competitive analog front ends for ultrasound systems
and 40 percent smaller than previously introduced devices in the AFE58xx
family.
Full portfolio for easy, high-quality ultrasound system design
TI's AFE58xx family, introduced in March 2008, allows the design of
innovative, affordable ultrasound systems with smallest size, superior image
quality and reduced power consumption across all ultrasound market segments.
The AFE5805 serves the portable to mid-range ultrasound market. The AFE5804 is
pin-to-pin compatible to ease migration to an even lower power solution,
should a design require it. For more information on TI's AFE58xx family,
please visit http://www.ti.com/ultrasound.
In addition to the AFE58xx family, TI offers a full portfolio of
integrated circuits for ultrasound systems and other medical imaging
equipment, including high-performance digital signal processors (DSPs),
digital media processors based on DaVinci(TM) technology, OMAP(TM) application
processors, high-speed data converters and amplifiers, power management,
clocks and interface devices, as well as wireless connectivity solutions. To
download TI's latest Medical Applications Guide
(http://focus.ti.com/lit/ml/slyb115a/slyb115a.pdf) and to view a broad range
of medical system block diagrams, please visit http://www.ti.com/medical.
Pricing, packaging and availability
Both the AFE5851 and AFE5801 are available in a 9 mm x 9 mm, 64-QFN
package with a suggested resale price of $52 each for the AFE5801 and $92 for
the AFE5851, both in 1000-unit quantities. Samples and EVMs for both devices
are available now, with volume production for the AFE5851 scheduled for
December 2008, and March 2009 for the AFE5801.
About medical components from Texas Instruments
TI is helping shape technology to improve the quality and accessibility of
medical equipment to revolutionize healthcare in the 21st century and beyond.
With its full range of analog and DSP products, from building blocks to
complete semiconductor solutions, plus systems insight, global support
infrastructure, advanced process technology and medical industry involvement,
TI is helping make innovative medical electronics more flexible, affordable
and accessible. TI's experience in diverse markets, such as wireless
communications, consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace, enables
engineers to meet increasing needs for higher speeds, higher precision, lower
power and smaller equipment, while maintaining the high standards for quality
and reliability that the medical market demands. For more information, please
visit http://www.ti.com/medical.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop
new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and
more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing,
design and sales operations in more than 25 countries. For more information,
go to http://www.ti.com.
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SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
Daniela Koeppe of Texas Instruments, +1-214-567-0032, koe@ti.com; or Kim
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