Oscilloscope and method

Abstract

An oscilloscope comprises a number of analog signal inputs for receiving respective analog input signals, an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, for every analog signal input, each ADC comprising an analog input and a digital output, the analog inputs being coupled to the respective one of the analog signal inputs for receiving the respective analog input signal, and the digital outputs outputting respective digital signals, and a signal processor coupled to the digital outputs of the ADCs that performs predetermined signal processing functions based on at least one of the digital signals and outputs a number of respective digital output signals.

Claims

1. An oscilloscope, the oscilloscope comprising: a number of analog signal inputs for receiving respective analog input signals, an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, for every analog signal input, each ADC comprising an analog input and a digital output, the analog inputs being coupled to the respective one of the analog signal inputs for receiving the respective analog input signal, and the digital outputs outputting respective digital signals, and a signal processor coupled to the digital outputs of the ADCs that performs predetermined signal processing functions based on at least one of the digital signals and outputs a number of digital output signals, wherein the number of digital output signals are based on the predetermined signal processing functions applied to the at least one of the digital signals.

2. The oscilloscope according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises a signal processing logic that performs the predetermined signal processing functions.

3. The oscilloscope according to claim 2, wherein the signal processing logic comprises at least one of a filter, a demodulator or a down converter.

4. The oscilloscope according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined signal processing functions comprise at least one of modulation functions, and/or down conversion functions, signal modification functions or signal decoding functions.

5. The oscilloscope according to claim 2, wherein the signal processing logic comprises a bus decoder that decodes the digital signals according to a predefined bus protocol and provides respective decoded signals for performing at least one of the predetermined signal processing functions.

6. The oscilloscope according to claim 1, comprising a number of digital inputs for receiving digital input signals, wherein the digital inputs are coupled to the signal processor for providing the digital input signals to the digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor generates the digital output signals based on the digital input signals.

7. The oscilloscope according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor comprises an arbitrary waveform generator that is coupled to the ADCs and generates the digital output signals based on the digital signals.

8. The oscilloscope according to claim 1, comprising for every digital output signal a digital-to-analog converter, DAC, coupled to the signal processor, wherein the DACs convert the respective digital output signals into respective analog output signals.

9. The oscilloscope according to claim 8, comprising a sampling rate converter that is coupled between the ADCs and the DACs and that converts a sampling rate of the digital signals to a sampling rate of the DACs.

10. A method for operating an oscilloscope, the method comprising: receiving a number of analog input signals via respective analog signal inputs, converting the received analog input signals into digital signals, each with an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, each ADC comprising an analog input and a digital output, the analog inputs being coupled to the respective one of the analog signal inputs for receiving the respective analog input signal, and the digital outputs outputting respective digital signals, and performing predetermined signal processing functions based on at least one of the digital signals and outputting a number of digital output signals with a signal processor coupled to the digital outputs of the ADCs, wherein the number of digital output signals are based on the predetermined signal processing functions applied to the at least one if the digital signals.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined signal processing functions are performed with a signal processing logic of the signal processor.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the signal processing logic comprises at least one of a filter, a demodulator or a down converter.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined signal processing functions comprise at least one of modulation functions, down conversion functions, signal modification functions or signal decoding functions.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein performing predetermined signal processing functions comprises decoding the digital signals according to a predefined bus protocol and providing respective decoded signals with a bus decoder for performing at least one of the predetermined signal processing functions.

15. The method according to claim 10, comprising receiving digital input signals with a number of digital inputs, wherein the digital inputs are coupled to the signal processor for providing the digital input signals to the digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor generates the digital output signals based on the digital input signals.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal processor comprises an arbitrary waveform generator that is coupled to the ADCs and generates the digital output signals based on the digital signals.

17. The method according to claim 10, comprising converting the digital output signals into respective analog output signals with a digital-to-analog converter, DAC, coupled to the signal processor.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising converting a sampling rate of the digital signals to a sampling rate of the DACs with a sampling rate converter that is coupled between the ADCs and the DACs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an oscilloscope according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of an oscilloscope according to the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of an oscilloscope according to the present invention.

(6) The appended drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, help to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned become apparent in view of the drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

(7) In the drawings, like, functionally equivalent and identically operating elements, features and components are provided with like reference signs in each case, unless stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an oscilloscope 100. The oscilloscope 100 comprises three exemplary analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103 for receiving analog input signals 104, 105, 106. It is understood, that the number of three analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103 is just exemplarily chosen and that more or less analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103 are possible.

(9) The analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103 are each coupled to an ADC 107, 108, 109. Each one of the ADCs 107, 108, 109 comprises an analog input 110, 111, 112 and a digital output 113, 114, 115. The ADCs 107, 108, 109 convert the analog input signals 104, 105, 106 into digital signals 116, 117, 118.

(10) The digital outputs 113, 114, 115 are each coupled to signal processor 120 via input ports 121, 122, 123 of the signal processor 120. In the signal processor 120 signal processing functions 124 are provided that perform signal processing on the digital signals 116, 117, 118. The signal processing functions 124 may e.g. comprise modulation functions and/or down conversion functions and/or signal modification functions and/or signal decoding functions. It is understood, that such functions may either be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both, e.g. in a DSP, an ASIC or CPLD or a System-On-Chip, SOC, that comprises a programmable controller as well as a programmable logic section, e.g. an FPGA or CPLD section. In such an arrangement for example management tasks may be performed in the programmable controller while signal processing may be performed in the programmable logic section.

(11) The processed digital signals 116, 117, 118 are then provided to the output ports 125, 126 as digital output signals 127, 128. It can be seen that the number of digital signals 116, 117, 118 needs not necessarily be equal to the number of output ports 125, 126. It is understood, that any number of output ports 125, 126 may be provided as required.

(12) It is understood, that although not shown, the oscilloscope 100 may comprise a plurality of further elements, like e.g. a display for displaying the measured analog input signals 104, 105, 106 to a user, and a user interface for user interaction with the oscilloscope 100.

(13) For sake of clarity in the following description of the method based figure the reference signs used in the description of apparatus based figures will be maintained.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating an oscilloscope 100, 200, 300.

(15) The method comprises receiving a number of analog input signals 104, 105, 106, 204, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306 via respective analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303, converting the received analog input signals 104, 105, 106, 204, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306 into digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318, each with an analog-to-digital converter 107, 108, 109, 207, 208, 209, 307, 308, 309, ADC, each ADC comprising an analog input 110, 111, 112, 210, 211, 212, 310, 311, 312 and a digital output 113, 114, 115, 213, 214, 215, 313, 314, 315, the analog inputs 110, 111, 112, 210, 211, 212, 310, 311, 312 being coupled to the respective one of the analog signal inputs 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303 for receiving the respective analog input signal 104, 105, 106, 204, 205, 206, 304, 305, 306, and the digital outputs 113, 114, 115, 213, 214, 215, 313, 314, 315 outputting respective digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318, and performing predetermined signal processing functions 124 based on at least one of the digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318 and outputting a number of respective digital output signals 127, 128, 227, 228, 327, 328 with a signal processor 120, 220, 320 coupled to the digital outputs 113, 114, 115, 213, 214, 215, 313, 314, 315 of the ADCs.

(16) The predetermined signal processing functions 124 may e.g. be performed with a signal processing logic 230, 330 of the signal processor 120, 220, 320. The signal processing logic 230, 330 may e.g. comprise at least one of a filter 231, especially a low pass filter or a high pass filter, and/or a demodulator, especially an I/Q demodulator and/or an AM demodulator and/or a FM/PM demodulator, and/or a down converter.

(17) The predetermined signal processing functions 124 that may be performed with the signal processing logic 230, 330 comprise modulation functions and/or down conversion functions and/or signal modification functions and/or signal decoding functions.

(18) Performing predetermined signal processing functions 124 may e.g. comprise decoding the digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318 according to a predefined bus protocol and providing respective decoded signals with a bus decoder 342 for performing at least one of the predetermined signal processing functions 124.

(19) The method may further comprise receiving digital input signals 341 with a number of digital inputs 340. The digital inputs 340 may be coupled to the signal processor 120, 220, 320 for providing the digital input signals 341 to the digital signal processor 120, 220, 320, wherein the digital signal processor 120, 220, 320 generates the digital output signals 127, 128, 227, 228, 327, 328 based on the digital input signals 341.

(20) The signal processor 120, 220, 320 may further comprise an arbitrary waveform generator 232, 332 that is coupled to the ADCs. The method may therefore comprise generating the digital output signals 127, 128, 227, 228, 327, 328 based on the digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318 with the arbitrary waveform generator 232, 332.

(21) The method may further comprise converting the digital output signals 127, 128, 227, 228, 327, 328 into respective analog output signals 236, 237, 336, 337 with a digital-to-analog converter 234, 235, 334, 335, DAC, coupled to the signal processor 120, 220, 320. In addition, the method may comprise converting a sampling rate of the digital signals 116, 117, 118, 216, 217, 218, 316, 317, 318 to a sampling rate of the DACs with a sampling rate converter 233, 333 that is coupled between the ADCs and the DACs.

(22) FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another oscilloscope 200. The oscilloscope 200 is based on the oscilloscope 100 and therefore also comprises analog signal inputs 201, 202, 203 that receive analog input signals 204, 205, 206. The analog input signals 204, 205, 206 are then provided to ADCs 207, 208, 209, where they are converted into digital signals 216, 217, 218 for the signal processor 220.

(23) The main difference between the oscilloscope 100 and the oscilloscope 200 lies in the signal processor 220 and the digital-to-analog converters, DACs, 234, 235 that are provided for the output signals 227, 228.

(24) In the signal processor 220 a signal processing logic, in this case a filter 231, is provided that processes the digital signals 216, 217, 218. The processed digital signals 216, 217, 218 are then provided to a sampling rate converter 233 and then to an arbitrary waveform generator 232. The arbitrary waveform generator 232 provides digital output signals 227, 228 to the DACs 234, 235. The DACs 234, 235 then convert the digital output signals 227, 228 into analog output signals 236, 237.

(25) It is understood, that instead of the filter 231 other functional elements may be provided. Such elements may e.g. include a demodulator, especially an I/Q demodulator and/or an AM demodulator and/or a FM/PM demodulator, a down converter or the like.

(26) It is further understood, that the sampling rate converter 233 is an optional element and may only be needed, if the sampling rate of the digital signals 216, 217, 218 is different than the sampling rate of the arbitrary waveform generator 232 or the DACs 234, 235.

(27) FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of another oscilloscope 300. The oscilloscope 300 is based on the oscilloscope 200. The oscilloscope 300 therefore also comprises analog signal inputs 301, 302, 303 that receive analog input signals 304, 305, 306. The analog input signals 304, 305, 306 are then provided to ADCs 307, 308, 309, where they are converted into digital signals 316, 317, 318 for the signal processor 320.

(28) Instead of the filter 231, the oscilloscope 300 however comprises a bus decoder 342. Further, the signal processor 320 comprises a digital input 340 for receiving digital signals 341. The digital signals 341 may e.g. be digital signals 341 of a digital data bus, like e.g. a SPI bus, a I.sup.2C bus, a USB bus, a PCI bus, an Ethernet network or the like.

(29) The bus decoder 342 may either be supplied with the digital signals 316, 317, 318 or with the digital signals 341 and may decode the respective signals for further processing in the arbitrary waveform generator 332.

(30) It is understood, that although the oscilloscope 200 comprises the filter 231 and the oscilloscope 300 comprises the bus decoder 342, in another embodiment, the oscilloscope may comprise signal processing functions or elements like the filter 231 as well as the bus decoder 342. It is further understood, that the DACs 334, 335 are only optional.

(31) Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

(32) In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reviewing the above specification.

(33) Specific nomenclature used in the foregoing specification is used to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the specification provided herein that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Throughout the specification, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein, respectively. Moreover, the terms first, second, and third, etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

(34) TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 100, 200, 300 oscilloscope 101, 102, 103 analog signal input 201, 202, 203 analog signal input 301, 302, 303 analog signal input 104, 105, 106 analog input signal 204, 205, 206 analog input signal 304, 305, 306 analog input signal 107, 108, 109 analog-to-digital converter 207, 208, 209 analog-to-digital converter 307, 308, 309 analog-to-digital converter 110, 111, 112 analog input 210, 211, 212 analog input 310, 311, 312 analog input 113, 114, 115 digital output 213, 214, 215 digital output 313, 314, 315 digital output 116, 117, 118 digital signal 216, 217, 218 digital signal 316, 317, 318 digital signal 120, 220, 320 signal processor 121, 122, 123 input port 221, 222, 223 input port 321, 322, 323 input port 124 signal processing function 125, 126 output port 225, 226 output port 325, 326 output port 127, 128 digital output signal 227, 228 digital output signal 327, 328 digital output signal 230, 330 signal processing logic 231 filter 232, 332 arbitrary waveform generator 233, 333 sampling rate converter 234, 235, 334, 335 digital-to-analog converter 236, 237, 336, 337 analog output signal 340 digital input 341 digital input signal 342 bus decoder S1, S2, S3 method steps