Rapid evaluation of many pulse echo system characteristics by use of a triggered pulse burst generator with exponential decay.

A pulse burst generator is utilized in which the pulses are triggered by the transmitter pulse of the ultrasound system being tested. The pulses are spaced the equivalent of every 2 mm in the body, and their amplitude decays with 0, 1.25, or 2.5 dB/cm over greater than a 50 dB dynamic range. By replacing the ultrasound transducer with the pulse generator, one can record quite easily the accuracy of depth gain compensation (DGC) and of distance measurements in A mode and B mode. If the DGC on the ultrasound unit can be turned to zero, the unit's A mode display characteristic and B mode gray scale curve can be determined rapidly and the receiver gain control or attenuator can be calibrated. Measurement of a receiver signal-to-noise ratio is possible, and more quantitative imaging should be facilitated as well.