With the incorporation of the digital scan converter in real-time instruments, the computer has assumed an expanding role in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. A knowledge of computer fundamentals is essential for understanding the operation of present day scanners. The concepts of binary notation, memory capacity, analog-to-digital conversion, and the matrix format in digital imaging are discussed in detail. The accuracy of the analog-to-digital conversion is addressed with multiple illustrative examples. Data base management as a practical tool in the clinical environment is introduced.
