Which array transducer fires all elements for each acoustic scan line, using small time delays to steer the beam?

Which array transducer fires all elements for each acoustic scan line, using small time delays to steer the beam?

• A. Linear segmental array
• B. Convex array
• C. Annular array
• D. Phased array

Answer: (D)

Beam steering is achieved by applying precise time delays across the individual elements of an array so that their sound waves interfere constructively in a chosen direction. When every element fires for a given scan line, those delays shape the wavefront to direct the beam to a specific angle, and changing the delays lets you sweep the beam across different directions without moving the transducer. This electronic steering with an entire aperture is the hallmark of a phased array. Other array types use different approaches: some rely on firing subgroups of elements or rely on a fixed curved geometry, or focus with concentric rings, rather than steering the whole aperture with small, continuous delays for each line. They don’t provide the same rapid, electronically steered beam across scan lines as a phased array. So, the description fits a phased array, which fires all elements for each line and steers the beam with small timing delays.

Beam steering is achieved by applying precise time delays across the individual elements of an array so that their sound waves interfere constructively in a chosen direction. When every element fires for a given scan line, those delays shape the wavefront to direct the beam to a specific angle, and changing the delays lets you sweep the beam across different directions without moving the transducer. This electronic steering with an entire aperture is the hallmark of a phased array.

Other array types use different approaches: some rely on firing subgroups of elements or rely on a fixed curved geometry, or focus with concentric rings, rather than steering the whole aperture with small, continuous delays for each line. They don’t provide the same rapid, electronically steered beam across scan lines as a phased array.

So, the description fits a phased array, which fires all elements for each line and steers the beam with small timing delays.