Acquisition SDK Programming Model
The Acquisition SDK Programming Model (Acquisition SDK), a C-based API, allows Vantage® NXT Research Ultrasound System users to program their system without MATLAB® dependencies. Comprised of a C-API, example code, and documentation, this software option offers users similar data structures and naming conventions to those of the MATLAB Programming Model to simplify the porting of existing sequences to the Acquisition SDK environment. The Acquisition SDK is an ideal complement for users who aim to develop applications intended for commercialization or for integration of their legacy or third-party software to run on the Vantage NXT Platform.
The Acquisition SDK can be run on select Vantage NXT 128 and 256 channel systems using the Vantage NXT 2.0 software release.
Complementary Programming Models Increase User Productivity & Performance
Verasonics’ novel and highly flexible sequence-based MATLAB Programming Model was initially introduced in 2007 and has been expanded over the years to increase support for new ultrasound research applications. Today, it remains the gold standard in research ultrasound programming, allowing users to rapidly prototype new ultrasound applications. Verasonics’ MATLAB Programming Model provides several advantages:
- Leverage the flexibility of Verasonics’ native image reconstruction
- Develop custom processing functions written in other programming languages
- Use Verasonics’ extensive set of example scripts, VSX GUI display, Verasonics Research Ultrasound Simulator, built-in Help System and several other Verasonics-developed utilities and toolboxes
- Utilize MATLAB’s built-in tools and capabilities
The Acquisition SDK Programming Model provides Vantage NXT users with the option to implement their sequences and algorithms prototyped in MATLAB to achieve increased performance in a variety of ways:
- Optimize code to run more efficiently without MATLAB dependencies
- Develop software using other programming languages
- Develop their own GUIs in environments outside of MATLAB
Users may also choose to skip prototyping in MATLAB, moving directly to the Acquisition SDK Programming Model to develop their own image reconstruction, processing and display functions.
Product Development and Commercial Organizations
Since its inception, Verasonics has been working with commercial companies to build clinical ultrasound products based on Verasonics’ technology. Until the Acquisition SDK, commercial licensees have either compiled their MATLAB code using the MATLAB Compiler or modified Verasonics’ source code to remove MATLAB dependencies for their products.
With the Acquisition SDK, commercial companies not interested in using compiled MATLAB code can now develop applications without MATLAB dependencies, thus further reducing development costs and time to market.
An Ecosystem for Third-Party Software
Many Verasonics customers have developed legacy software applications, which were challenging to integrate with Verasonics’ research ultrasound systems through the MATLAB Programming Model. The Acquisition SDK’s stable C-based API makes it easier for users to interface their software applications to program the Vantage NXT Acquisition Hardware and also opens the possibility for customers, as well as independent software development companies, to develop new applications for use on Vantage NXT.
Additional Acquisition SDK capabilities are planned in upcoming 2025 Vantage NXT software releases.
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