The MAX2078 octal-channel ultrasound front-end is a fully integrated bipolar, high-density octal-channel ultrasound receiver optimized for low cost, high-channel count, high-performance portable and cart-based ultrasound systems. The easy-to-use IC allows the user to achieve high-end 2D, PW, and CW Doppler (CWD) imaging capability using substantially less space and power. The highly compact imaging receiver lineup, including low-noise amplifier (LNA), variable-gain amplifier (VGA), and anti-alias filter (AAF), achieves an ultra-low 2.4dB noise figure at R_S = R_IN = 200Ω at a very low 64.8mW per channel power dissipation. The full imaging receiver channel has been optimized for second-harmonic imaging with -64dBFS second-harmonic distortion performance with a 1V_P-P 5MHz output signal. The bipolar front-end has also been optimized for excellent low-velocity PW and color-flow Doppler sensitivity with an exceptional near-carrier SNR of 140dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset from a 5MHz 1V_P-P output clutter signal.

A fully integrated high-performance, programmable CWD beamformer is also included. Separate I/Q mixers for each channel are available for optimal CWD sensitivity in high-clutter environments, yielding an impressive near-carrier SNR of 154dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset from a 1.25MHz 200mV_P-P input clutter signal.

The MAX2078 octal-channel ultrasound front-end is available in a small 10mm x 10mm, 68-pin thin QFN package with an exposed pad and is specified over a 0°C to +70°C temperature range.