GERAET ZUR ABTASTUMSETZUNG

An improved scan converter for converting received echo signals representative of the amplitude of ultrasound energy returning from sampled points along a plurality of spaced apart paths distributed in an image space into signals to be displayed as display pixels in a raster scan display system. The scan converter includes a scan data memory for storing the received echo signals in quadrants of the scan data memory. Each quadrant is associated with even and odd numbered paths and sample row combinations. Sample rows are related to sample points along the spaced apart paths. The scan converter further includes a circuit for determining a gray scale value to be assigned to each selected display pixel based on a predetermined combination of four received echo signals adjacent the selected display pixel and chosen from the quadrants of the scan data memory. The improved scan converter is capable of operation in both linear and sector scan modes, and, when in the sector mode, over 90 DEG and 180 DEG sectors. Variable scaling between the image space and display space and correction of the hose error when the scanning system employs an oscillating wobbler scan head are provided. Various techniques for converting display pixel rectangular coordinates into polar coordinates in real time for raster scan display are employed.