The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system (20) and method which, in one embodiment, partitions the main body processing such that a portion of the processing is contained within the transducer (24) thereby reducing the need for a multiplicity of high performance cables running between the transducer and the main body. This is possible through the use of a unique architecture to allow for proper power management given the small transducer size and an architecture that exploits the high levels of integration possible on integrated circuit technologies allowing for its implementation in a few highly integrated circuits with virtually no external components outside of the ICs. |