Frequency Domain Eigenspace-based Projection Minimum Variance for Ultrasound Imaging

Abstract

In recent years, because of safety and timeliness of the ultrasound imaging, this technology has been widely used in the field of medical diagnosis [1]. In the process of ultrasound imaging, the beamforming process is the most important part, which directly determines the imaging quality [2]. At present, the most widely used algorithm is the traditional delay-and-sum (DAS), but DAS has some inherent disadvantages in low resolution and obviously artifacts [3]. For the purpose of solving these deficiencies, many advanced imaging methods have been proposed. Among them, the minimum variance (MV) designed by Capon is a kind of very potential algorithm due to its high resolution [4]. However, the effect of MV algorithm is mainly depended on the accuracy of the preset desired directional vector and the calculation of covariance matrix. Therefore, the MV has the problem of insufficient robustness [5]. In subsequent studies, many innovative methods had been used to overcome the shortcomings of MV algorithm [6], such as eigenspace-based MV (ESBMV).