RFAutoMaTE - Radio Frequency Automatic Matching and Tuning Equipment

Welcome to RFAutoMaTE, Radio Frequency Automatic Matching and Tuning Equipment, our go-to solution for seamless Radio Frequency (RF) coil matching and tuning in low-field (< 100 mT) MRI scanners.

Overview

RFAutoMaTE is designed to provide efficient and automatic matching of RF coils to ensure optimal performance and signal quality in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems.

Features

• RF Precision: Achieve precise Radio Frequency coil matching.
• AutoMaTE Automation: Streamlined process with AutoMaTE (Automatic Matching and Tuning) automation.
• Tuning Efficiency: Efficient T (Tuning) for enhanced imaging performance.
• Ease of Use: E (Equipment) designed for user-friendly operation.

Getting Started (TODO)

To get started with RFAutoMaTE, follow these simple steps:

1. Installation: Clone the repository to your local machine.

   git clone https://github.com/mriLab-i3M/RFAutoMaTE.git
   

2. Configura.tion: Adjust RFAutoMaTE settings according to your system requirements.
3. Usage: Integrate RFAuotMaTE into your MRI system for automatic RF coil matching and tuning.

Testing

To test if relays are working properly, load the test_arduino.ino into the arduino and power the RFAutoMaTE. The relays should blink sequencitally.

If everything is ok. load the autotunig_arduino.ino into the arduino. Now the user can turn on/off relays by serial communication.

RFAutoMaTE is able to change the impedance by de/activating relays that chanes capacitance to a T circuit. The T circuit includes a series, tuning and matching capacitors.

Each capacitance has up to 5 capacitors, giving a total of 15 pins. An additional digital signal (TTL) allow the user to switch the tuning matching between the Tx/Rx switch to run MRI experiments or to the VNA to measure the coil impedance.

User can control the status by sending a set of 16 (15 capacitors + 1 switch) digits to de/activate the capacitance. 0->Capacitor activated 1->Capacitor deactivated

Last digit correspond the switching between VNA and TxRx switch: 0->TxRx switch 1->VNA

For example, if the user wants to activate all capcitors and connect to TxRx switch: 0000000000000000

For the moment, the code does not check the number of digits. So make sure that the number of digits is 16, otherwise, arduino can get frozen.

Contributors

1. Rubén Bosch Esteve, circuit design and pcb design
2. José Miguel Algarín Guisado, circuit design, arduino code, integration with MaRGE

License

RFAutoMaTE is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) v3.0.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.

Happy matching and tuning!