The STEVAL-IME011V1 evaluation board is designed around the STHV748 4-channel, 5-level high voltage pulser, a state-of-the-art device designed for ultrasound imaging applications. The STEVAL-IME011V1 offers a simple way to evaluate the ultrasound pulser IC, thanks also to a graphical user interface. Once the output waveforms are configured, they can be displayed directly on an oscilloscope by connecting the scope probe to the relative BNCs.

The STHV748 monolithic, high-voltage, high-speed pulser generator features four independent channels. It is designed for medical ultrasound imaging applications, but it can also be used for driving other piezoelectric, capacitive or MEMS based transducers. The STHV748 comprises a controller logic interface circuit, level translators, MOSFET gate drivers, noise blocking diodes, and high-power P-channel and N-channel MOSFETs as the output stage for each channel, clamping-to-ground circuitry, anti-leakage, anti-memory effect block, thermal sensor, and a T/R switch which guarantees an effective decoupling during the transmission phase. Moreover, the STHV748 includes self-biasing and thermal shutdown blocks. Each channel can support up to five active output levels with two half bridges. The output stage of each channel is able to provide ±2 A peak output current. In order to reduce power dissipation during continuous wave mode, a dedicated half bridge is available and the peak current is limited to 0.6 A.

Applications:

• Medical ultrasound imaging
• Pulse waveform generators
• NDT ultrasound transmission
• Piezoelectric transducer drivers