A Spectral-Scanning Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Integrated System

An integrated spectral-scanning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique is implemented in a 0.12 mum SiGe BiCMOS process. This system is designed for small-scale MRI applications with non-uniform and low magnetic fields. The system is capable of generating customized magnetic resonance (MR) excitation signals, and also recovering the MR response using a coherent direct conversion receiver. The operation frequency is tunable from DC to 37 MHz for wide-band MRI and up to 250 MHz for narrow-band MR spectroscopy.