Realisation of a Flexible Power Measurement Application for Parallel Transmit

Guido Kudielka¹, Mika Vogel¹, Wolfgang Loew¹

Standard SAR measurement methods can no longer be used in Parallel Transmission (PTx) technique. An unstable RF excitation of one RF amplifier has significant effects on SAR. A flexible power monitor setup was developed to control the output of any PTx transmit system during scans and to detect any malfunctions in this system. With a programmable switch the RF signal of each amplifier was connected to a power sensor. A software application visualized these measurements and monitored to the signal stability. An excitation stop was implemented if the stability exceeds a defined threshold.