The ratio of the largest power to the smallest power that the ultrasound system can handle is referred to as:

Dynamic range refers to the ratio of the largest power to the smallest power that an ultrasound system can process. It is a crucial concept in ultrasound imaging as it indicates the system's ability to handle a vast range of echo amplitudes. A larger dynamic range allows for better contrast and detail in the images because it enables the system to detect both very weak and very strong signals without distortion.

In ultrasound, weak echoes may originate from structures like blood vessels, while strong echoes can come from bone or calcified tissues. An adequate dynamic range is essential for differentiating between these varying echo intensities and producing high-quality images with accurate representations of the underlying anatomy.

Other terms mentioned do not describe this concept: amplitude pertains to the strength of a signal, bandwidth involves the range of frequencies a system can use, and compensation relates to the adjustments made for attenuation of sound as it travels through different tissues.