The present invention discloses an ultrasound imaging system and method
based on simultaneous multiple transmit-focusing using the weighted
orthogonal chirp signals so that resolution of an ultrasound image is
enhanced without sacrifice in the frame rate. The ultrasound imaging
system according to the present invention includes: a storing means for
storing weighted orthogonal signals including N number of orthogonal
codes wherein the orthogonal codes are orthogonal to each other; a
transmitter for transmitting simultaneously the weighted orthogonal
signals as ultrasound transmission signals to corresponding N number of
focal points within the target object; a receiver for receiving signals
reflected from the N number of focal points corresponding to the
transmitted ultrasound signals; a pulse-compressor for pulse-compressing
with respect to each orthogonal code by extracting the stored N number of
orthogonal codes from the reflected signals; a producer for producing
receive-focused signals from the pulse-compressed signals; and a display
for displaying the receive-focused signals by processing them. As a
result, transmission signals are simultaneously transmitted to the
plurality of focal points and received signals are separated on
reception, thereby improving resolution without sacrifice in the frame
rate.