An array transducer where the active elements are arranged in a straight line.

An array transducer where the active elements are arranged in a straight line.

• A. Curvilinear array
• B. Linear array
• C. Annular array
• D. Phased array

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how the transducer’s active elements are physically arranged, which determines the shape of the image and how beams are formed. When the elements lie in a straight line, you’re looking at a linear array. This straight-line geometry produces a field of view that is essentially rectangular in the imaging plane and is ideal for high-resolution, shallow to mid-depth structures, with beam formation optimized across the width by firing and delaying multiple adjacent elements. Curvilinear arrays place elements along a curved arc, giving a sector-shaped field of view and broad coverage for deeper or wider-area imaging. Annular arrays use concentric rings, resulting in a circular or donut-shaped focusing pattern. Phased array describes a beamforming approach—how the timing of element excitation steers and focuses the beam—not a strict description of the element layout itself; a phased array can be linear, curvilinear, or annular, depending on the arrangement. So the straight-line arrangement specifically identifies the linear array.

The main idea here is how the transducer’s active elements are physically arranged, which determines the shape of the image and how beams are formed. When the elements lie in a straight line, you’re looking at a linear array. This straight-line geometry produces a field of view that is essentially rectangular in the imaging plane and is ideal for high-resolution, shallow to mid-depth structures, with beam formation optimized across the width by firing and delaying multiple adjacent elements.

Curvilinear arrays place elements along a curved arc, giving a sector-shaped field of view and broad coverage for deeper or wider-area imaging. Annular arrays use concentric rings, resulting in a circular or donut-shaped focusing pattern. Phased array describes a beamforming approach—how the timing of element excitation steers and focuses the beam—not a strict description of the element layout itself; a phased array can be linear, curvilinear, or annular, depending on the arrangement.

So the straight-line arrangement specifically identifies the linear array.