Test and measurement instrument and method of analyzing an input signal

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a test and measurement instrument. The test and measurement instrument comprises a digitizer for digitizing an analog input signal, thereby generating a digitized input signal. The test and measurement instrument also has a digital trigger for detecting a trigger event in the digitized input signal. The test and measurement instrument also comprises an acquisition memory for acquiring the digitized input signal at least segmentally upon a first trigger event detected by the digital trigger. The acquisition memory is configured to acquire a first signal segment prior to the first trigger event. The acquisition memory is further configured to acquire a second signal segment starting at the first trigger event. The length of the second signal segment is dynamically adjustable. Moreover, a method of analyzing an input signal by a test and measurement instrument is described.

Claims

1. A test and measurement instrument, the test and measurement instrument comprising: a digitizer for digitizing an analog input signal, thereby generating a digitized input signal; a digital trigger for detecting a trigger event in the digitized input signal; and an acquisition memory for acquiring the digitized input signal at least segmentally upon a first trigger event detected by the digital trigger, wherein the acquisition memory is configured to acquire a first signal segment prior to the first trigger event, wherein the acquisition memory is further configured to acquire a second signal segment starting at the first trigger event, wherein the length of the second signal segment is dynamically adjustable, and wherein the first signal segment and the second signal segment merge into each other, resulting in a continuous signal portion acquired such that a continuous data acquisition is provided that spans the first trigger event.

2. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the length of the second signal segment depends on at least a second trigger event occurring during the acquisition of the second signal segment.

3. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 2, wherein the second trigger event ends the acquisition of a first sub-segment of the second signal segment while automatically starting the acquisition of a second sub-segment of the second signal segment starting at the second trigger event, thereby dynamically extending the length of the second signal segment.

4. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 3, wherein the first sub-segment and the second sub-segment merge into each other at the second trigger event, resulting in a continuous second signal segment.

5. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition memory has a post-trigger memory section for acquiring the second signal segment.

6. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 5, wherein the post-trigger memory section is dynamically adjustable.

7. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 5, wherein the post-trigger memory section is enlarged upon detection of a second trigger event after the first trigger event.

8. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein a default length for the second signal segment is provided.

9. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 8, wherein the second signal segment is enlarged due to an occurrence of a second trigger event within the default length of the second signal segment.

10. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the length of the second signal segment depends on information associated with the digitized input signal.

11. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the digitized input signal encompasses several trigger events, wherein each trigger event is associated with a signal segment prior to the respective trigger event and a signal segment starting at the respective trigger event, and wherein the signal segments merge into each other at the respective trigger event, resulting in a continuous signal portion acquired.

12. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition memory has a pre-trigger memory section for acquiring the first signal segment.

13. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein a post-trigger counting is restarted when detecting a second trigger event after the first trigger event.

14. The test and measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein the test and measurement instrument is an oscilloscope.

15. A method of analyzing an input signal by a test and measurement instrument, the method comprising: receiving an analog input signal; digitizing the analog input signal, thereby generating a digitized input signal; detecting a first trigger event in the digitized input signal; acquiring a first signal segment in the digitized input signal prior to the first trigger event; acquiring a second signal segment in the digitized input signal starting at the first trigger event; and adapting dynamically the length of the second signal segment acquired, wherein the first signal segment and the second signal segment merge into each other, resulting in a continuous signal portion acquired such that a continuous data acquisition is provided that spans the first trigger event.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the length of the second signal segment depends on information associated with the digitized input signal.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the digitized input signal is forwarded to a digital trigger and an acquisition memory.

18. A test and measurement instrument, the test and measurement instrument comprising: a digitizer for digitizing an analog input signal, thereby generating a digitized input signal; a digital trigger for detecting a trigger event in the digitized input signal; and an acquisition memory for acquiring the digitized input signal at least segmentally upon a first trigger event detected by the digital trigger, wherein the acquisition memory is configured to acquire a first signal segment prior to the first trigger event, wherein the acquisition memory is further configured to acquire a second signal segment starting at the first trigger event, wherein the length of the second signal segment is dynamically adjustable, and wherein the first signal segment and the second signal segment seamlessly merge into each other in a seamless manner at the first trigger event, thereby providing a continuous signal portion that is acquired by the acquisition memory.

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 test and measurement instrument according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows an overview of an example input signal encompassing several signal portions, signal segments as well as trigger events.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) 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.

(5) In FIG. 1, a test and measurement instrument 10 is shown that is established by an oscilloscope. The test and measurement instrument 10 has a housing 12 at which a front end 14 is provided. The front end 14 comprises an input 16 that is used to be connected with a device under test. The device under test may provide an input signal that is processed by the test and measurement instrument 10.

(6) The test and measurement instrument 10 also comprises a digitizer circuit 18 that is connected with the input 16 such that an analog input signal received via the input 16 is digitized accordingly. In an embodiment, the digitizer includes, for example, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit.

(7) The digitizer 18 is also connected with an acquisition memory circuit 20 as well as a digital trigger circuit 22, wherein the digital trigger 22 is connected with the acquisition memory 20 as well as a trigger counter 24 which in turn is connected with the acquisition memory 20 as well. The acquisition memory 20 is connected with a post-processing circuit or module 26 that is connected with a display circuit or module 28.

(8) The digitizer 18, the acquisition memory 20, the digital trigger 22, the trigger counter 24 and the post-processing module 26 correspond to internal components of the test and measurement instrument 10. Therefore, these components are illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 1. In addition, these components may be established by hardware and/or software circuits or the like.

(9) In general, the test and measurement instrument 10 internally processes the analog input signal received via the input 16 at the front end 14 such that a representative of the input signal as well as trigger events and/or other information related thereto are displayed for informing an operator of the test and measurement instrument 10.

(10) The data acquisition performed by the test and measurement instrument 10 will be described hereinafter in more detail while also referring to FIG. 2 illustrating a digitized input signal processed by the test and measurement instrument 10.

(11) Accordingly, the analog input signal is received via the input 16 that forwards the analog input signal to the digitizer 18 that digitizes the analog input signal in order to generate a digitized input signal for further processing.

(12) The digitized input signal is forwarded to the digital trigger 22 as well as the acquisition memory 20. The acquisition memory 20 generally comprises a first memory section 30, also called pre-trigger memory section, as well as a second memory section 32, also called post-trigger memory section. The acquisition memory 20 is configured to acquire different data associated with the input signal in the respective memory sections 30, 32 as will described later in more detail.

(13) In any case, the first memory section 30, namely the pre-trigger memory section 30, is filled with acquired data in a continuous manner. This means that the pre-trigger memory section 30 is continuously filled with data acquired such that a certain amount of data is continuously stored in the pre-trigger memory section 30. Accordingly, new data gathered overwrites the oldest data stored in the pre-trigger memory section 30, resulting in a continuous acquisition of a certain data amount associated with the input signal.

(14) Simultaneously, the digital trigger 22 processes the digitized input signal received as well in order to detect a trigger event in the digitized input signal.

(15) When the digital trigger 22 detects a trigger event in the digitized input signal, the digital trigger 22 controls the acquisition memory 20 to start a post-trigger (acquisition) such that data associated with the digitized input signal is stored in the post-trigger memory section 32.

(16) The data acquired prior to the trigger event is also called first signal segment, whereas the data acquired by the acquisition memory 20 after the trigger event is also called second signal segment.

(17) In FIG. 2, a respective digitized input signal is shown that comprises several trigger events T1-T5. As mentioned above, the pre-trigger memory section 30 continuously acquires data, thereby acquiring the first signal segment S1 prior to the first trigger event T1, wherein the first signal segment S1 has a certain length or rather size.

(18) When the first trigger event T1 occurs, the digital trigger 22 controls the acquisition memory 20 to acquire the second signal segment S2 which starts at the first trigger event T1. As shown in FIG. 2, those segments S1, S2 merge into each other in a seamless manner at the first trigger event T1, thereby providing a continuous signal portion A.

(19) When the digital trigger 22 detects the first trigger event T1, the digital trigger 22 simultaneously controls the post-trigger counter 24 in order to start a post-trigger counting. This means that a certain time or a certain amount of data is counted by the post-trigger counter 24, which is called default length and indicated by T.sub.0 in FIG. 2.

(20) If the post-trigger counter 24 reaches the pre-defined end, namely the default length T.sub.0, the post-trigger counter 24 controls the acquisition memory 20, for example the post-trigger memory section 32 to stop (post-trigger) acquisition of the digitized input signal. If, however, the digital trigger 22 detects another trigger event in the digitized input signal while the (post-trigger) acquisition is still ongoing, the digital trigger 22 restarts the post-trigger counter 24 such the post-trigger counting is restarted. Accordingly, the (post-trigger) acquisition is not stopped after the default length T.sub.0, but enlarged by at least another default length T.sub.0 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(21) In FIG. 2, a second trigger event T2 occurs within the default length T.sub.0 following the first trigger event T1 such that the (post-trigger) acquisition was not stopped. A third trigger event T3 occurs within the default length T.sub.0 following the second trigger event T2 such that the (post-trigger) acquisition was not stopped. However, no further trigger event occurs within the default length T.sub.0 following the third trigger event T3 such that the (post-trigger) acquisition was stopped after expiration of the default length T.sub.0, thereby acquiring the first signal portion A.

(22) Accordingly, this results in a dynamic adjustment of the length of the second signal segment S2 since the post-trigger memory section 32 acquires more data than initially defined by the default length T.sub.0 associated with the second signal segment S2.

(23) In other words, the length of the second signal segment S2 is dynamically adjusted in an automatic manner due to information associated with the digitized input signal, namely trigger events following each other within a single signal portion, for example within the default length T.sub.0 of a preceding trigger event, namely in the post-trigger acquisition of the preceding trigger event.

(24) As mentioned above, the second trigger event T2 occurring during the acquisition of the second signal segment S2 after the occurrence of the first trigger event T1 triggers the dynamic adjustment of the length of the second signal segment S2.

(25) In some embodiments, the second trigger event T2 ends the acquisition of a first sub-segment S2S1 of the second signal segment S2 while automatically starting the acquisition of a second sub-segment S2S2 of the second signal segment S2 that starts at the second trigger event T2. This dynamically extends the length of the second signal segment S2 while simultaneously ensuring that information concerning the second trigger event T2 is gathered.

(26) In a similar manner, the third trigger event T3 ends the acquisition of the second sub-segment S2S2 of the second signal segment S2 while automatically starting the acquisition of a third sub-segment S2S3 of the second signal segment S2 that starts at the third trigger event T3. This dynamically extends the length of the second signal segment S2 while simultaneously ensuring that information concerning the third trigger event T3 is gathered.

(27) The respective sub-segments S2S1-S2S3 merge into each other in a seamless manner, thereby defining the (continuous) second signal segment S2.

(28) The first signal segment S1 associated with the pre-trigger acquisition and the second signal segment S2 associated with the post-trigger acquisition also merge into each other at the first trigger event T1 or rather the initial one, thereby defining the continuously acquired signal portion A. Accordingly, a continuous data acquisition of the respective signal portion A takes place.

(29) In FIG. 2, the respective signal portion A encompasses three trigger events T1-T3 since two further trigger events T2, T3 occurred during the respective default length T.sub.0 of the preceding trigger event, namely during the post-trigger acquisition.

(30) The digitized input signal shown in FIG. 2 comprises two signal portions A, B acquired by the acquisition memory 20, wherein the respective signal portions A, B are separate ones as they are spaced from each other.

(31) In some embodiments, the first trigger event T4 of the second signal portion B takes place after the default length T.sub.0 expired during the acquisition of the first signal portion A, resulting in a stop of the acquisition of the first signal portion A. In other words, the post-trigger counting has expired as it was not restarted due to an occurring trigger event. This ensures that the oscilloscope is operated in a triggered operation mode rather than a continuous operation mode.

(32) Furthermore, the respective signal portions A, B have a different length due to the different number of trigger events occurring in the post-trigger (acquisition) of the respective signal portions A, B.

(33) This illustrates that the length of the second signal segment S2 of the respective signal portion acquired is dynamically adjusted wherein this depends on information associated with the digitized input signal, namely an occurring trigger event during the post-trigger (acquisition) or rather the number of trigger events occurring during the post-trigger (acquisition).

(34) Hence, the post-trigger memory section 32 for acquiring the second signal segment S2 is also dynamically adjustable as illustrated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1, as the post-trigger memory section 32 is dynamically enlarged upon detection of a further trigger event during the post-trigger acquisition of the first trigger event.

(35) In general, FIG. 2 also illustrates that the digitized input signal encompasses several trigger events T1-T5, wherein each trigger event is associated with a previous signal segment, namely data prior to the respective trigger event, and a post signal segment, namely data starting at the respective trigger event.

(36) In some embodiments, the test and measurement instrument 10 as well as the respective method ensure that no post-trigger event is missed, resulting in a reliable acquisition of the input signal.

(37) Certain embodiments disclosed herein utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used. It will be appreciated that the term “information” can be use synonymously with the term “signals” in this paragraph.

(38) In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., 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, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

(39) In an embodiment, circuitry includes 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 protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

(40) In some examples, the methodologies and technologies described herein can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

(41) The present application may 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 and B” is equivalent to “A and/or B” or vice versa, namely “A” alone, “B” alone or “A and B.”. Similarly, 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.

(42) 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.