Focusing delay calculation method for real-time digital focusing and

Abstract

A focusing delay calculation apparatus for real-time digital focusing calculates focusing delay times for individual array elements constituting an array transducer in an ultrasonic imaging system in which a focal point is varied on the basis of a midpoint algorithm. A delay variable calculator uses a focusing reference distance, integer focusing delay distances and decision variables corresponding to an array element at an n-th focal point to calculate a delay variable corresponding to the array element at an (n+1)th focal point. An updating unit uses the delay variable calculated by the delay variable calculator to produce the integer focusing delay distance and the decision variable corresponding to the array element, and then supplies the produced integer focusing delay distance and decision variable to the delay variable calculator. The delay variable is represented as a value having places below a decimal point. Thus, the present invention can calculate a focusing delay distance represented with accuracy below a decimal point with respect to a varied focal point. and implements the calculation of the focusing delay with the addition of simple hardware, accordingly, the manufacturing cost is low.