A four-channel time domain multiplexer: a cost-effective alternative to multiple receivers.

The concept of simultaneous image acquisition as originally conceived by Hyde has been implemented by Roemer et al. using a multiple receiver system. This article describes an alternative technique that uses time domain multiplexing (TDM) to acquire simultaneous images using a single receiver channel. This method requires few modifications to the existing receiver and has been shown to be equivalent to a true four channel receiver in most applications. The multiplexing technique was implemented and tested on a standard commercial scanner that has also been equipped with a four channel receiver. Signal-to-noise results demonstrate that four independent images can be multiplexed through a single receiver channel with no degradation in image quality. Additionally, spine images that were obtained from a normal volunteer with both a multiplexed single channel receiver and a true four channel receiver system are presented.