A Single-Chip High-Voltage Integrated Actuator for Biomedical Ultrasound Scanners.

This article presents a high-voltage (HV) pulse driver based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology for biomedical ultrasound actuators and multi-channel portable imaging systems specifically. The pulse driver, which receives an external low-voltage drive signal and produces high-voltage pulses with a balanced rising and falling edge, is designed by synthesizing high-speed, capacitor-coupled level-shifters with a high-voltage H-bridge output stage. In addition, an on-chip floating power supply has also been developed to simplify powering the entire system and reduce static power consumption.