DF-TUS CORE A Safety-Gated 96-Channel Modular Ultrasound Research Architecture with a Handheld Array and Smart-Cushion Coupling Interface

DF-TUS CORE is a modular research ultrasound platform concept organized around 96 simultaneous transmit/receive channels, a 128-element handheld front probe with 64 active channels selected through high-voltage multiplexing, and a 64-zone smart cushion with 32 simultaneously active channels. The architecture separates low-noise receive electronics, high-voltage transmit electronics, FPGA/SoC data handling, safety interlocks, power conversion, and patient-contact mechanics into replaceable modules so that acoustic performance, electromagnetic compatibility, thermal behavior and mechanical ergonomics can be iterated without redesigning the entire system. The baseline acquisition target is 96 channels at 12 bits and 40 MSPS, corresponding to 46.08 Gbit/s raw converter payload and approximately 57.60 Gbit/s before protocol margin under 8b/10b coding. A twelve-lane JESD204B target therefore motivates a Zynq UltraScale+ ZU7EV-class carrier with deterministic clock/SYSREF distribution. The safety concept is deliberately hardware-gated: software or AI may request a profile, but cannot directly enable the high-voltage transmit path; an independent safety controller and FPGA gate enforce watchdog, temperature, contact, identity and electrical-fault conditions. The development pathway is fail-closed. EVT first establishes deterministic channel enumeration, receive noise/crosstalk, transmit pulse characterization, probe/cushion mechanics and acoustic contact; DVT then adds EMC, thermal, cleaning and tooling verification before any clinical or production claim is considered. The present work contributes an implementation-level research architecture, a manufacturability framework and a reproducible validation ladder. It does not provide clinical dosing instructions and does not claim diagnostic or therapeutic efficacy.