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. Comprising a C API, example code, and documentation, this software option provides users with data structures and naming conventions similar to those of the MATLAB Programming Model, simplifying the porting of existing sequences to the Acquisition SDK environment.

The Acquisition SDK is an ideal complement for users aiming to develop commercialization applications or to integrate their legacy or third-party software to run on the Vantage NXT Platform.

Complementary Programming Models Increase User Productivity & Performance

Acquisition SDK Programming Model

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

Image explaining the process of the Acquisition SDK Programming Model

Acquisition SDK Programming Model

MATLAB Programming Model

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

Image explaining the process of the MATLAB Programming Model

MATLAB Programming Model

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 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.