Method for operating an oscilloscope as well as oscilloscope

Abstract

A method for operating an oscilloscope is described, wherein a waveform axis scale input value is detected. Further, a record length input value is detected. An oscilloscope operating point is determined relative to at least one predetermined operating mode limit. In addition, a method for operating an oscilloscope as well as an oscilloscope are described.

Claims

1. A method for operating an oscilloscope, with the following steps: detecting a waveform axis scale input value; detecting a record length input value; and determining an oscilloscope operating point relative to at least one predetermined operating mode limit, wherein a preview is displayed next to the oscilloscope operating point determined to provide an instantaneous preview based on the respective oscilloscope operating point, wherein the operating mode limit comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a decode mode limit based upon available processing power for bus decoding a measured bus signal, a zoom window limit based upon a zoom factor, a visualization limit based upon a zoom factor, a zero-blind-time limit based upon operating points being zero-blind-time capable, and combinations thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the waveform axis scale input value is a horizontal scale input value.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the waveform axis scale input value and the record length input value is set manually by an operator of the oscilloscope.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the waveform axis scale input value and the record length input value is set by at least one of using a knob, using a dial, using a button, using a remote control device and touching a touch-sensitive display.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the oscilloscope operating point is based upon at least one of the waveform axis scale input value and the record length input value.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode limit is predetermined based upon at least one of an original analog to digital converter sample rate, a rate change due to decimation or interpolation and a number of divisions.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the oscilloscope operating point and the operating mode limit is processed by a graphic processor for displaying at an oscilloscope display.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode limit comprises an interpolation mode versus decimation mode limit.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode limit comprises a display column value limit based upon a number of columns of the oscilloscope display.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode limit comprises a channel operating mode limit based upon a number of active oscilloscope channels.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating mode limit comprises a spectrum analysis limit based upon at least one of a span or a resolution bandwidth.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a recommendation is displayed how to adapt at least one of a setting of the oscilloscope, the waveform axis scale input value or the record length input value.

13. A method for operating an oscilloscope, with the following steps: receiving an input of an operator with regard to at least one of a waveform axis scale input value and a record length input value, processing the input of the operator to determine an allowable operating range based upon the input of the operator, and displaying the allowable operating range determined on an oscilloscope display, wherein the allowable operating range comprises at least one predetermined operating mode limit, and wherein the operating mode limit comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a decode mode limit based upon available processing power for bus decoding a measured bus signal, a zoom window limit based upon a zoom factor, a visualization limit based upon a zoom factor, a zero-blind-time limit based upon operating points being zero-blind-time capable, and combinations thereof.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the allowable operating range displayed relates to at least one of a range of allowed settings and allowable oscilloscope operating points.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the allowable operating range is displayed on an interactive display enabling the operator to adapt its input instantaneously.

16. An oscilloscope comprising a housing; a processor housed in the housing; and an oscilloscope display assigned to the housing, wherein the processor is connected with the oscilloscope display, the processor being configured to process an operator input with regard to at least one of a waveform axis scale input value or a record length input value, the processor being further configured to determine an oscilloscope operating point relative to at least one predetermined operating mode limit, wherein the operating mode limit comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a decode mode limit based upon available processing power for bus decoding a measured bus signal, a zoom window limit based upon a zoom factor, a visualization limit based upon a zoom factor, a zero-blind-time limit based upon operating points being zero-blind-time capable, and combinations thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a representative oscilloscope according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a first state according to the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a second state according to the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a third state according to the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a fourth state according to the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a fifth state according to the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a sixth state according to the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a seventh state according to the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 shows an oscilloscope user interface in an eighth state according to the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a ninth state according to the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a tenth state according to the present disclosure;

(13) FIG. 12 shows an oscilloscope user interface in an eleventh state according to the present disclosure;

(14) FIG. 13 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a twelfth state according to the present disclosure; and

(15) FIG. 14 shows an oscilloscope user interface in a thirteenth state according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

(17) In FIG. 1, a measurement system 10 is schematically shown that comprises an oscilloscope 12 with a housing 14 and a display 16 assigned to the housing 14. The oscilloscope 12 has at least one input 18 configured for receiving an input signal to be displayed on the oscilloscope display 16. The input signal is also called a measured signal. In some embodiments, the input 18 may be coupled with a probe used for probing a device so as to obtain the input signal to be processed by the oscilloscope 12.

(18) The input signal received via the input 18 is processed by an internal processor 20 that is located within the housing 14. The processor 20 may be a graphic processor or include graphics processing capabilities, as will be discussed later in more detail. The processor 20 may process the input signal received via the input 18 based upon settings set by an operator of the oscilloscope 12 via at least one operation member 22, for instance.

(19) In the shown embodiment, the operation member 22 is established by a knob, a dial or a button, which is extending from the housing 14 such that the operator can easily interact with the operation member 22.

(20) Hence, the operator of the oscilloscope 12 is enabled to manually set a certain input value of the oscilloscope 12 that influence the graphic illustration on the oscilloscope display 16. For instance, the input value may be a waveform axis scale input value, namely a horizontal scale input value, and/or a record length input value of the oscilloscope 12. The respective input values may be set via the operation member 22.

(21) The oscilloscope display 16 may be a touch-sensitive display so that the operator of the oscilloscope 12 is also enabled to set the respective input value by interacting with the touch-sensitive display, namely the oscilloscope display 16.

(22) Alternatively or additionally, a remote control device 24 may be used that interacts with the oscilloscope 12. The remote controlled device 24 may be part of the system 10 so that the oscilloscope 12 is enabled to be controlled remotely. For this purpose, the oscilloscope 12 may comprise at least a signal receiver 26. The receiver may be established by a transceiver so that the oscilloscope 12 is also enabled to transmit signals wirelessly to the remote control device 24 so that certain information may be output or rather displayed on the remote control device 24.

(23) In general, the processor 20 is enabled to determine an oscilloscope operating point based upon the waveform axis scale input value and/or the record length input value, namely the input values set by the operator of the oscilloscope 12.

(24) The respective oscilloscope operating point is determined relative to at least one predetermined operating mode limit. The predetermined operating mode limit may be based upon at least one of an original analog-to-digital converter sampling rate, namely the sample rate of the ADC implemented within the oscilloscope 12, a rate change due to decimation or interpolation done by the oscilloscope 12 and/or a number of divisions.

(25) In other words, the operating mode limit corresponds to boundaries of allowable oscilloscope operating points. The parameters on which the predetermined operating mode limit is based are related to the input values upon which the respective oscilloscope operating point is based, namely by:

(26) $R=\frac{{\mathrm{HN}}_{\mathrm{div}}{f}_0}{N_{\mathrm{rl}}},$
with f.sub.0 being the original sample rate from an analog to digital converter (ADC) and R being the rate change due to decimation or interpolation of the sampled data. Furthermore, N.sub.div corresponds to the (at least pre-set) number of divisions whereas H represents the horizontal scale input value and N.sub.rl represents the record length input value.

(27) Accordingly, the processor 20 is enabled to determine whether the input values, namely the horizontal scale input value H and the record length input value N.sub.rl yield an allowable oscilloscope operating point with respect to the operating mode limit defined by the original sample rate from an analog to digital converter (ADC) f.sub.0, the rate change due to decimation or interpolation of the sampled data R as well as the (at least pre-set) number of divisions N.sub.div.

(28) As discussed above, the processor 20, namely the graphic processor, is configured to process the oscilloscope operating point and/or the operating mode limit to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed on the oscilloscope display 16. Thus, the respective content is displayed on the oscilloscope display 16.

(29) As the oscilloscope display 16 may be a touch-sensitive display, the operator may directly interact with the graphical user interface displayed on the oscilloscope display 16 for setting the respective input value(s) in an appropriate manner. In other words, the operator is enabled to set the waveform axis scale input value and/or the record length input value by interacting with the graphical user interface displayed by the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16.

(30) In some embodiments, the operator may directly select a certain oscilloscope operating point by interacting with the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16 since the operating mode limit, namely the respective operating point boundary, is displayed so that the allowable operating range is illustrated.

(31) Accordingly, the oscilloscope 12 is configured to receive an input signal via the at least one input 18 for being displayed on the oscilloscope display 16.

(32) Furthermore, the oscilloscope 12, for example its processor 20, is configured to receive an input of the operator, for instance via the operation member 22, the remote control device 24, the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16 directly, or via other user interfaces, wherein the input relates to at least one of a waveform axis scale input value and a record length input value.

(33) The input signal as well as the input (value) of the operator is processed by the processor 20 to determine at least the allowable operating range, namely the area of valid oscilloscope operating points. The allowable operating range determined is displayed via the oscilloscope display 16 so that the operator directly understands how to change a certain setting of the oscilloscope 12 to adapt the respective oscilloscope operation point.

(34) Accordingly, the allowable operating range displayed relates to at least one of a range of allowed settings of the oscilloscope 12 as well as allowable oscilloscope operating points.

(35) Since the allowable operating range is displayed on the interactive oscilloscope display 16, namely the touch-sensitive one, the operator is enabled to adapt its input instantaneously. Thus, the operator may directly receive a feedback with regard to the setting done.

(36) In general, the operator may view the allowed range while making changes or rather adaptions of the respective settings, namely the input values. Alternatively or additionally, the operator may interact with the graphical user interface to make the desired changes or rather adaptions.

(37) In FIGS. 2 to 14, different scenarios are shown or rather different graphical user interfaces 28. Generally, the graphical user interface 28 may be displayed as an aided section or rather secondary window 30 on the oscilloscope display 16 in addition to a main section or rather a main window 32 in which the signal measured is illustrated with respect to the current oscilloscope operating point. The current oscilloscope operating point may be illustrated in the secondary window.

(38) As shown in the following figures, the operator is generally enabled to select a certain operating point in a graphical manner while touching the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16 or operating the operation member 22. The graphical user interface 28 displayed on the oscilloscope display 16 graphically outputs where the current operating point is. In addition, an allowable range or rather an operating mode limit is illustrated so that the operator is informed whether or not the current oscilloscope operating point is within the allowable range or out of the allowable range.

(39) Thus, the operator is enabled to obtain a direct feedback whether or not his actual changes or rather adaptions yield an operating point being out of the allowable range. Furthermore, recommendations, achievable parameters or rather effects of different settings may be displayed on the graphical user interface 28 to provide an intuitive understanding of the operation of the oscilloscope 12 as well as its control. The graphical user interface 28 is capable of displaying an oscilloscope operating point, namely a current one or rather a future one based on changes or rather adaptions made by the operator. Thus, a graphic guiding to the operator is provided.

(40) In FIG. 2, the operating mode limit comprises an interpolation mode versus decimation mode limit since the graphical user interface 28 illustrates an area assigned to the interpolation mode as well as an area assigned to the decimation mode. In addition, boundaries of the respective areas are indicated so that an allowable operating range for both modes is shown. Moreover, the graphical user interface 28 shown in FIG. 2 illustrates a display column value limit. The allowable operating range is limited by a memory of the oscilloscope 12 as well as the window size set or rather the display 16.

(41) In general, the graphical user interface 28 as shown provides an overview of the allowed settings wherein the numbers are just to give a better feeling for the example and should not restrict the range.

(42) The operator may select an oscilloscope operating point in a graphical manner, for instance by touching the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16, using the remote control device 24 or rather any other operation member 22. In addition, the operator is informed about the current oscilloscope operating point with respect to the at least one predetermined operating mode limit, namely the display column value limit and the interpolation mode versus decimation mode limit.

(43) In FIG. 3, the current oscilloscope operating point is additionally illustrated. Furthermore, the possible directions in which the setting could be changed are also illustrated as well as the effects related to these changes.

(44) In FIG. 4, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a channel operating mode limit and how the respective system parameters affect the range of allowed settings, namely the predetermined operating mode limit or rather the allowable operating range.

(45) In embodiments of the present disclosure, it is shown that the operating range, namely the allowable one, can be extended by changing the number of switched on channels, namely the active channels, and/or the window width of the main window 32 which illustrates the measured signal with respect to the oscilloscope operating point.

(46) In FIG. 5, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a decode mode limit. Hence, a certain application is shown. In the graphical user interface 28, it is illustrated that a certain bus type, namely bus type XYZ, cannot be decoded in a certain area assigned to the decimation mode. The respective non-working area is highlighted to inform the operator appropriately. In other words, the operator is informed which oscilloscope operating points are suited to certain applications, namely the decoding of a certain type of serial bus.

(47) In FIGS. 6 and 7, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a zoom window limit, for example a two zoom (2 zoom). In some embodiments, two different zoom factors Z1, Z2 assigned to the two zoom function are illustrated that have been derived from the main acquisition, namely the current oscilloscope operating point M.

(48) As shown in FIG. 6, interpolation is required for the second zoom factor Z2 which is not desired. In contrast thereto, the first zoom Z1 or rather the respective first zoom window only requires gating whereas the second zoom window requires gating and interpolation.

(49) Therefore, the graphical user interface 28 outputs a recommendation according to which increasing the record length, namely the record length input value, shall be considered.

(50) Provided that the recommendation is followed as shown in FIG. 7, both zoom factors may be assigned to the allowable operating range. In some embodiments, the operator has increased the record length while staying at the same horizontal resolution, namely the waveform axis scale input value.

(51) In FIG. 8, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a visualization limit, for example a maximum zoom, also called dual-decimation. The recording oscilloscope operating point M records full signal detail and allows accurate zooming capabilities for very high zoom factors. The visualization oscilloscope operating point D has a high decimation factor but allows a faster display of the recorded waveform.

(52) This visualization may be combined with the serial bus analysis. Thus, a visualization operating point may be chosen such that the sample rate on this path is high enough for serial bus decoding.

(53) In FIG. 9, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a spectrum analysis limit. In the graphical user interface 28, lines of constant maximum span assigned to lines of constant decimation factor as well as lines of constant minimum resolution bandwidth are shown so that the operator is enabled to select the respective oscilloscope operating points easily.

(54) In FIGS. 10 and 11, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates zero-blind-time limit. Thus, areas with oscilloscope operating points being zero-blind-time capable are shown.

(55) Comparing FIGS. 10 and 11 reveal that reducing the number of pixel columns, for instance either reduce the width of the display window or sacrifice the resolution, the range of vertical scales which are zero-blind capable can be increased.

(56) In FIGS. 12 and 13, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a channel operating mode limit based upon a number of active oscilloscope channels. It is illustrated that each channel is sampled with a certain sample rate, e.g., 1.25 GSps, and with a maximum memory depth, e.g., 200 MS.

(57) Changing the number of active oscilloscope channels yields an increase of the certain sample rate as well as the maximum memory depth per channel.

(58) In FIG. 14, the graphical user interface 28 illustrates a guiding or rather recommendation how to adapt the respective settings. In some embodiments, useful settings for a high definition mode are illustrated as well as the achievable results when following the recommendations.

(59) Generally, the graphical user interface 28 may also illustrate a preview that can be displayed next to the oscilloscope operating point determined to provide an instantaneous preview based on the respective oscilloscope operating point.

(60) Therefore, the operator is enabled to understand which settings are allowed and how to adapt the input (value) to obtain an allowable oscilloscope operating point or rather a valid one.

(61) The respective oscilloscope operating points may be viewed on the graphical user interface 28 or rather directly adapted/selected by interacting with the touch-sensitive oscilloscope display 16 on which the graphical user interface 28 is displayed.

(62) It should be understood that the term processor or computer can include any processing structure, including but is not limited to a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof. It should be also understood that any of the block diagrams, flowchart illustrations, and related descriptions, or parts thereof, respectively, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on the processor 20. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, such as the oscilloscope 12, to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in the illustrated block or blocks, the methods steps described herein in any combination, etc.

(63) In an embodiment, the processor 20 is associated with a memory storing logic modules and/or instructions for carrying out the function(s) of these components and/or any of its sub-units, either separately or in any combination. In an embodiment, the processor 20 includes or is in the form of one or more ASICs having a plurality of predefined logic components for implementing the functionality described herein. In an embodiment, the processor 20 includes or is in the form of one or more FPGA having a plurality of programmable logic components for implementing the functionality described herein. In an embodiment, the processor 20 includes or is in the form of hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof) for implementing the functionality described herein. In an embodiment, the processor 20 includes or is in the form of combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more methodologies or technologies described herein.

(64) The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

(65) The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.