A time-domain communication system in an ultrasonic imaging system includes an
ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic array with ultrasonic array outputs and a
time-domain multiplexer with an input connected to each of the ultrasonic array
outputs and also having a multiplexer output. The time-domain multiplexer continually
cycles through each of the ultrasonic array outputs at a predetermined frequency
connecting each of the ultrasonic array outputs to the multiplexer output for a
predetermined amount of time. An ultrasonic data processing unit is provided and
includes a de-multiplexer connected to the multiplexer output. The de-multiplexer
has de-multiplexer outputs and continually cycles through each of the de-multiplexer
outputs at the predetermined frequency connecting each of the de-multiplexer outputs
to the multiplexer output for the predetermined amount of time. A timing reference
is connected to the time-domain multiplexer and the de-multiplexer for providing
a single timing reference to determine at least the predetermined frequency.