STHV749:Quad ±90 V, ±2 A, ±4 A, 3-, 5-, 7-level RTZ, high-speed ultrasound pulser

This monolithic, high-voltage, high-speed pulse generator features four independent channels. It is designed for medical ultrasound applications, but can also be used for driving other piezoelectric, capacitive, or MEMS transducers. The STHV749 is made up of a controller logic interface circuit (compatible with both 1.8 V and 3.3 V input signals), level translators, self-biased high-voltage MOSFET gate drivers, noise blocking diodes, three high power P-channel and three N-channel MOSFETs as the output stage for each channel (TX0, TX1 and CW), clamping to-ground circuitry [RTZ], anti-leakage, anti-memory effect block, thermal sensor, and a T/R switch which guarantees effective decoupling during the transmission phase. Moreover, the STHV749 includes self-biasing and thermal shutdown blocks.

Each channel can support up to seven active output levels with two main half bridge and a half bridge dedicated for the CW waveforms. It is comprised of three independently supplied output stages, respectively: two TX0 and TX1 used for pulsed wave (PW), and one for continuous wave (CW) operation. TX0 and TX1 are able to provide up to ±2 A peak output current each, while to reduce power dissipation and jitter during continuous wave mode, the fully optimized CW output stage delivers up to ±0.3 A. The current capability for CW mode is also selectable to 0.6 A.

Each channel can be used with TX0 and TX1 in parallel obtaining up to ±4 A peak output current. This is to support short pulse waveforms and to increase the maximum output frequency. This option is selectable by a dedicated input pin (SEL).

The four independent T/R switches can be used in both a dedicated RX chain per-channel or in a multiplexing configuration.

The clamp circuit, used to carry the output pin XDCR down to GND, has a current capability in excess of 4 A.

The STHV749 internal self-biasing circuitry prevents the need to use dedicated external high voltage rails to drive all the gates of the TX0, TX1 and CW bridges. Moreover, it allows very low power consumption during the RX phase.

The STHV749 requires very few external components. The reference voltage supplies for the gate drivers of the TX0, TX1 and CW bridges do not require any dedicated external pins.

Each channel is independently controlled by means of 3 digital bits in the 5 levels option, and 2 bits in the 3 levels option. An external clock can be used to synchronize all the control input signals, allowing the optimization of both the jitter and the HD2 performance of the device. This feature is, however, optional: if the CK pin is tied to ground the device works in asynchronous mode.

The STHV749 is fully power-up and power-down sequence free.

Key Features

  • 0 to ±90 V output voltage
  • 3 levels ±4 A or 5 levels ±2 A user-selectable operation
  • 7 levels also using CW bridge
  • Up to 40 MHz operating frequency (3 level option)
  • Power-up/down sequence free
  • Low-power, high-voltage, high-speed PW, CW drivers
  • Gate drivers self-biased architecture, no filtering capacitors required
  • Optional input signal synchronization by external clock
  • Three independently-supplied half bridges (TX0 and TX1 for pulsed wave/ CW for continuous wave)
  • Pulsed wave (PW) mode operations (TX0 and TX1):
    • 5-level output waveforms
    • TX0 and TX1 fully independent
    • ±2 A source and sink current (each half bridge)
    • ±4 A source and sink current with 3 level option
    • Down to 20 ps jitter
    • Anti-cross conduction
    • Low 2nd harmonic distortion
  • Continuous wave (CW) mode operations:
    • 130 mW/200 mW max. power consumption/channel
    • ±0.3 A/±0.6 A source and sink current
    • Down to 10 ps jitter
    • Low power consumption
  • Fully integrated real clamping-to-ground functionality
    • 4 Ω synchronous active clamp
    • Anti-leakage on output node
    • ±4 A source and sink current
  • Fully integrated TR switch
    • 8 Ω ON resistance
    • Up to 300 MHz BW
    • Receiver multiplexing function
    • Low DC consumption (High impedance/standby state)
  • 1.8 V to 3.6 V CMOS logic interface
  • Auxiliary integrated circuits
    • Noise blocking diodes
    • Anti-memory effect for all internal HV nodes
    • Thermal protection
  • Latch-up free due to HV SOI technology
  • Very few external passive components needed
Product Specifications
DescriptionVersionSize
DB2314: Quad ±90 V, ±2 A, ±4 A, 3-, 5-, 7-level RTZ, high-speed ultrasound pulser1.0360 KB
Application Notes
DescriptionVersionSize
AN4472: STEVAL-IME008V1 evaluation board based on the STHV749 transmission pulser1.16 MB
Flyers
DescriptionVersionSize
Octal ultrasound pulser High-voltage, high-speed STHV800276 KB
Solution Evaluation Tools
Part NumberManufacturerDescription
STEVAL-IME008V1STSTHV749 Ultrasound Pulser IC evaluation board
STEVAL-IME012V1STCost effective ultrasound pulser IC evaluation board based on the STHV749
Sample & Buy
Part NumberPackagePacking TypeOperating Temperature (°C) (min)Operating Temperature (°C) (max)Unit Price (US$) *QuantityECCN (EU)ECCN (US)Country of Origin
STHV749LVFLGA 8 X 8 X 0.9 48LD PITCH 0.5Tray-40125--NECEAR99-
Quality & Reliability
Part NumberPackageGradeRoHS Compliance GradeMaterial Declaration**
STHV749LVFLGA 8 X 8 X 0.9 48LD PITCH 0.5IndustrialEcopack2
Quad ±90 V, ±2 A, ±4 A, 3-, 5-, 7-level RTZ, high-speed ultrasound pulser STHV749
STEVAL-IME008V1 evaluation board based on the STHV749 transmission pulser STEVAL-IME008V1
How to upgrade the waveforms on STEVAL-IME003V1, STEVAL-IME008V1 and STEVAL-IME009V1 evaluation boards STHV748