Mx8000 Dual Exp: Angulation Method of Operation

1. THE ANGULATION SYSTEM:

1.1. WHY AN ANGULATION SYSTEM:

One of the common functions found in all CT scanners is a mechanism that measures the (mechanical)
focal spot position and signals this information to control angular sampling and rotor position.

1.1.1.Angular Sampling:
The Data Measuring System (DMS) needs to take data samples (views) on predefined and accurate Rotor
Angle positions. This angle, together with the measured data of the detector channels, is provided to the
reconstruction system, so that the reconstruction system is able to backproject the data in the correct way.

1.1.2.Positioning:
The Main Drive Processor (MDP) needs feedback to be able to position the Rotor on the right angle in case
of a surview (PA, AP or Lateral).

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1.2. RESOLUTION AND ACCURACY

The specification for our Angulation System of the Mx8000exp has 2 basic components:

1.2.1.Resolution
The resolution is the size of the small intervals, filling a whole measure (like rulers marked with different
divisions). The Mx8000 exp requires a resolution of 4640 parts per whole circle exactly.

1.2.2.Accuracy
The accuracy is the amount we believe in the measurement, in our case, tolerance to uncertainty measuring
angle. The Mx8000exp spec is +/- 15 parts out of 1,296,000 of a circle or 0.004 degrees. This is needed to
support high spatial resolution of 24 linepairs / cm.

1.3. RESOLUTION
In the Mx8000exp, one detector channel has a width of 1.408mm. The focal spot to detector distance is
1040mm. This means that we have (1040*2ð)/1.408 = 4640 imaginary detector channels (see Figure 1).
This means we need to have 4640 trigger samples (resolution of 4640) to be able to sample directly on
detector angle of motion boundaries, as necessary for Quarter Detector Offset (QDO) and Dual Focal Spot
(DFS).

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 Figure 1: 4640 channels on imaginary 3 rd generation detector array

1.4. ACCURACY
The common method used to measure the angle is a shaft encoder, or simply encoder. Angular position is
somehow 'encoded' into electronic signals of different format. To reach the accuracy in the Mx8000exp, the
form of encoder used is unique in the industry. It is called an electromagnetic resolver, or resolver for short.

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1.5. THE ANGULATION SYSTEM PARTS

2.
Figure 2: Angulation system

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2.1.1.145 CYCLE RESOLVER

The basis for measurement is a variable coupling between a primary coil (stator) and a rotating coil (rotor)
that provides a variable output according to mechanical angle. Practical resolvers use sinusoidal coupling
and provide a pair of secondaries, a sine and a cosine. The resolver is actually nothing more then a
transformer with a single primary and dual rotating secondaries.

Figure 3: Resolver

The excitation signal used is an 8kHz sin-wave signal. The Sine and Cosine signals on the secondary side
will be a sine and cosine on an 8KHz carrier (see Figure 4), because of the rotating secondary side.

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 Figure 4: Sin or Cosine on 8KHz carrier.

The resolver is designed in such a way that we will have 145 sin and cosine cycles per rotation
(a so called 145 cycle resolver).

2.1.2.THE RESOLVER TO DIGITAL (R2D) BOARD.

A means must be provided to convert the resolver signals (analog sine and cosine) to digital values, used
later for trigger sampling by the DMS (Angular Sampling) and provide position feedback for the Main Drive
system (Positioning). This function, including signal monitoring, is done on the R2D board (resolver to digital
board).

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 Step 1:
The first step to do is to get the original sin and cosine signals by removing the carrier (demodulation)
(see Figure 5).

Figure 5: Carrier removed.

To be able to do this, we need the carrier (the 8kHz excitation signal) on the secondary side.
Because there is no free track on the slipring to bring this carrier to the secondary side, a
solution has been made to make the carrier on the secondary side (excref) and transfer this to the
primary side (using the control link between DMS and Ghost) and use it as excitation signal.

Step 2:
The second step is to convert the resolver signals (analog sine and cosine) to digital values in
such a way that we can use it for positioning and accurate angular sampling.
We know the Rotor angle position, if we know:

on which number sin or cosine we are within 1 rotation.

on which part of this sin or cosine we are.

To achieve this, each sine and cosine cycle is divided (by the R2D logic) into 256 intervals.
As already mentioned we have 145 sin and cosine cycles per rotation (145 resolver).
This means that we have in total 145*256= 37,120 intervals per revolutio n.

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 The frame position is determined by the # of the cycle as well as the position within the cycle.

For example (36*256)+64 -= 9280 or 90°.

The logic part on the R2D will generate these positions as Quad-A and Quad-B signals (which
are 90 degrees out of phase), together with 1 Northmark signal for each cycle, and forward them
to the DMC.

2.1.3.THE DMC PART OF THE ANGULATION SYSTEM

As already mentioned in chapter 1.1, the Data Measuring System (DMS) needs to take data samples
(views) on predefined and accurate Rotor Angle positions. The Data Measurement Card (DMC) receives the
Quad-A and Quad-B from the R2D board. Quad-A and Quad-B are named AP0 and AP90 on the DMC.

The edges of both signals come at a rate of 148480 pulses (dataclock) per revolution (see Figure 6). This
big number results in the necessary accuracy of the angular samples to be able to support high spatial
resolution of 24 linepairs / cm.

A resolution of 4640 samples is needed. This is reached by dividing 148480 by 32 = 4640.

So the end result is 4640 angular samples with a high accuracy.

The DMC also needs to know were to start with sample 0. This is reached by a zero flag signal (sensor on
rotating part + flag on frame) together with the northmark signal (from the R2D board), which will generate
the signal called Index.

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 Figure 6: Dataclock signals

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2.1.4.THE GHOST PART OF THE ANGULATION SYSTEM
The function of the GHost within the angulation system, is receiving the AP0, AP90, Index end Excitation
Reference (excref) signals via the Ctrl Link and forward it to the Main Drive Processor (MDP) which controls
the Rotor drive together with the Spindle Block.

2.1.5.THE MDP PART OF THE ANGULATION SYSTEM

As already mentioned in chapter 1.3.1 the resolver needs an excitation signal. The MDP drives this signal
and is made from the "excref" signal as made on the R2D board. Because this signal is transferred via the
control link to the MDP, it will have jitter on it and it will have a delay.

The PhaseLockLoop (PLL) circuit and the Filter on the MDP will remove the jitter from the signal. Also a
delay circuit is used to get the excitation signal in phase with the excitation signal on the secondary. Before it
is used as an excitation drive signal, the Auto Gain Control (AGC) will set it to the right drive voltage. This
voltage should be set with the gain potentiometer in such way that the Sine and Cosine on the R2D are 1.9V
(true rms) See R2D adjustment procedure. The MDP also receives the AP0, AP90 and Index signal to use it
during the positioning of the Rotor (positioning loop).

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