Proprietary Digital Pulser IC Supporting ±100V Output Voltages Achieves Both High Image Quality and Compact Size with Low Power Consumption Providing Strong Support for Faster Commercialization of Medical Devices
ABLIC Inc. (President: Seiji Tanaka, Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "ABLIC"), a MinebeaMitsumi Group company, today announced that it has begun sample shipments of "viewphii-Gen3," the third generation of its "viewphii" (*1) series of handheld ultrasound solutions for medical applications.
(*1) viewphii Series:
The viewphii series is a family of transmit/receive ICs and solutions for portable medical ultrasound devices, bringing together ABLIC's analog and image processing technologies. By providing dedicated semiconductors (IC chipsets) together with development kits (development environments for handheld ultrasound probes), the series simultaneously achieves high image quality, long continuous operation, low heat generation, and a reduced component count, all of which have been challenges for compact devices. By reducing the design burden on medical device manufacturers, viewphii helps them bring products to market quickly and contributes to healthcare settings such as point-of-care (POC), home, and emergency care.
The "viewphii-Gen3," for which sampling began today, incorporates a newly developed digital pulser IC supporting a ±100V output voltage (product name: S-UM55A3E [viewphii A3E chip]). ABLIC's digital pulser ICs have a proven track record of over a decade in applications ranging from large, premium-class ultrasound systems to low-end cart-based systems. The newly developed S-UM55A3E [viewphii A3E chip] leverages ABLIC's analog ultrasound transmission technology, which offers high withstand voltage, high performance, and high reliability.
By significantly increasing the output voltage from ±40V in the previous generation to ±100V, viewphii-Gen3 dramatically improves image sensitivity in deep tissue and color sensitivity in microvessels, all while maintaining the portability of earlier models, including compact size, light weight, and long continuous operation. This enables even higher definition and higher image quality in ultrasound imaging.
Key Features
- Dramatically Improved Image Definition and Clear Deep-Tissue Visualization with the Newly Developed Digital Pulser IC Supporting ±100V Output Voltage
The "viewphii-Gen3" incorporates a new digital pulser IC (A3E chip) that raises the output voltage from ±40V in the previous generation to ±100V. Using ABLIC's proprietary technology, the chip outputs high-quality, positive/negative symmetrical pulse waveforms, contributing to higher image quality. This dramatically improves deep-tissue visualization and color sensitivity for capturing fine, low-velocity blood flow, both of which were previously difficult to achieve with compact devices, supporting highly accurate diagnosis. - Exceptional Compactness, Light Weight, Low Power Consumption, and Long Continuous Operation Combined with High Image Quality
Despite its high-voltage operation, the highly integrated new digital pulser IC (A3E chip) thoroughly minimizes power consumption and heat generation. It also enables smaller, lighter devices while combining high image quality with long continuous operation, so users need not worry about the battery running out in clinical settings. - Expansion of Transmit Channel Count to Up to 256 Channels Enables a Wider Variety of Probe Products
By utilizing high-voltage switch technology gained through the development of analog ICs for large ultrasound systems, ABLIC has expanded the transmit channel count from 192 channels in the previous generation to 256. This helps medical device manufacturers broaden their product lineups, for example by supporting dual probes that carry two types of transducers in a single probe.
- Integrated Development Environment (Platform) Significantly Shortens Development Time
In addition to the IC chipset, "viewphii-Gen3" provides a total solution that includes an integrated development environment (platform) for developing ultrasound equipment. Depending on each manufacturer's needs, the platform includes probes for verifying IC operation and checking ultrasound images, evaluation boards for development, and software and applications. As a result, medical device manufacturers can commercialize highly functional handheld ultrasound devices customized to their specifications with a shorter turnaround time (TAT).
*Note: ABLIC acquired the medical-related business from Socionext Inc. in December 2024, and this solution inherits and builds upon its technical and business foundations.
Major Specifications
| ・LSI (IC) Package |
|---|
| S-UM55A3E [viewphii A3E chip (Ultrasound Transmit Digital Pulser IC)]: BGA 305 pin, 15 x 15 mm SC2A31AR3 [viewphii B3 chip (Ultrasound Image Processing IC)]: FCBGA 782 pin, 23 x 23 mm |
| ・LSI (IC) Configuration |
| An ultrasound probe can be built with just two types of ICs (five chips in total: S-UM55A3E x 4, SC2A31AR3 x 1) |
| ・Number of Transmit Channels |
| Max. 256 channels |
| ・Transmit/Receive Aperture |
| Max. 64 channels |
| ・Supported Frequency Range |
| Max. 20MHz |
| ・High-Voltage Pulse Power Supply |
| Max. ±100V |
| ・Supported Transducer Types |
| Linear, Convex, Phased Array (Sector) |
| ・Imaging Modes |
| B-mode, M-mode, Color Doppler, Power Doppler, Pulsed Wave (PW) Doppler |
| ・Image Processing Features |
| Harmonic Imaging, Spatial Compounding, Trapezoidal Scan, etc. |
| ・Power Consumption |
| Typ. 1.2 W (linear probe, B-mode) |
Applications
- Medical ultrasound systems (handheld probes, etc.)
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) systems
Product Details
https://www.ablic.com/en/semicon/healthcare/viewphii/
German Version
Please click HERE.
Website
https://www.ablic.com/en/semicon/
Contacts
ABLIC Inc.
Masae Onuma
E-mail: pr@ablic.com
https://hub.ablic.com/en/pr-inquiry?rf=support
Newsroom: www.mynewsdesk.com/ablic