Measurement system and test instrument

Abstract

A measurement system and a test instrument are described. The measurement system includes at least one test instrument, a monitoring circuit, a scheduling circuit, and at least one electronic device. The at least one test instrument includes a test circuit, wherein the test circuit is configured to measure a measurement signal received from the device under test and / or to generate a test signal for the device under test. The monitoring circuit is configured to monitor a state of the at least one test instrument, wherein the state is associated with a measurement being performed on the device under test. The monitoring circuit is configured to generate an alarm signal if a change in state of at least one test instrument requiring an external action is detected. The scheduling circuit is configured to transmit the alarm signal to the at least one electronic device, where the at least one electronic device is established separately from the at least one test instrument.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a measurement system. The present invention also relates to a test instrument. Background Art

[0002] Many types of electronic devices must be tested and / or calibrated after manufacture to ensure the correct function of the corresponding device under test. In addition, certain electronic devices (such as test and / or measurement instruments) need to be calibrated at certain time intervals to ensure their correct function.

[0003] This type of in-line testing and calibration typically requires multiple measurement steps, where the measurement settings may have to be modified between individual measurement steps.

[0004] To avoid the additional costs that may result from the downtime of these measurements, the operator must manually monitor the status of the measurements. Depending on the size of the manufacturing facility, the operator may have to monitor a large number of measurements being performed simultaneously.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a measurement system that facilitates monitoring the status of measurements. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a measurement system. The measurement system includes at least one test instrument, a monitoring circuit, a scheduling circuit, and at least one electronic device. The at least one test instrument includes a test circuit, where the test circuit is configured to measure a measurement signal received from the device under test and / or generate a test signal for the device under test. The monitoring circuit is configured to monitor the status of the at least one test instrument, where the status is associated with the measurements being performed on the device under test. The monitoring circuit is configured to generate an alarm signal if a status change of the at least one test instrument that requires an external action is detected. The scheduling circuit is configured to transmit the alarm signal to the at least one electronic device, where the at least one electronic device is separately established from the at least one test instrument.

[0007] Here and below, the term "circuit" is understood to describe suitable hardware, suitable software, or a combination of hardware and software configured to have a specific function.

[0008] The hardware may in particular include a CPU, a GPU, an FPGA, an ASIC, or other types of electronic circuits.

[0009] In fact, the term "circuit" is understood to describe a module having suitable hardware, suitable software, or a combination of hardware and software configured to have a specific function.

[0010] Furthermore, the term "external action" is understood to represent an action that cannot be performed by the at least one test instrument itself.

[0011] In fact, the external action can be related to a physical change in the measurement setup. For example, the external action can be or include changing the cables of the measurement system, adjusting the connections within the measurement system, removing the device under test from the measurement setup, providing a new device under test in the measurement setup, performing calibration of at least one test instrument, etc.

[0012] The measurement system according to the present invention is based on the idea of automatically monitoring a change in the state of at least one test instrument, which change is related to the measurement being performed by the at least one test instrument.

[0013] For example, the measurement being performed can be a measurement on a device under test to evaluate the performance of the device under test and / or to calibrate the device under test.

[0014] If the monitoring circuit detects a change in state that requires an external action, an alarm signal is automatically transmitted to at least one electronic device.

[0015] For example, a change in state that requires an external action can include events such as "measurement completed", "different wiring / connections are needed to continue the measurement", "the test instrument must be calibrated to continue the measurement", etc.

[0016] As will be described in more detail below, the electronic device can be a mobile communication device of a human operator, an external computer device of a human operator, a shared screen, or an automated operator robot capable of performing the required action.

[0017] Therefore, when a change in state that requires an external action is detected, an alarm is immediately issued to the human operator or the automated operator robot so that the human operator or the automated operator robot can perform the required external action in a timely manner.

[0018] Therefore, compared with a measurement system monitored manually, the downtime within the measurement system according to the present invention is reduced.

[0019] In addition, it is convenient to monitor the measurement system, making the measurement system according to the present invention easier to operate.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one test instrument includes a monitoring circuit. Therefore, at least one test instrument can be configured to monitor its own state regarding the measurement being performed on the device under test.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one electronic device includes a mobile communication device of the operator, an external computer device of the operator, and / or a shared screen. Therefore, through the alarm signal transmitted to at least one electronic device, the operator is automatically alerted to the required external action so that the operator can perform the required external action in a timely manner. Therefore, the downtime can be effectively reduced.

[0022] For example, at least one electronic device can be a smartphone, a tablet computer, or any other suitable type of smart device.

[0023] As another example, at least one electronic device can be a wearable electronic device, such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, or another type of head-mounted display.

[0024] In another example, at least one electronic device can be a computing device such as a personal computer or a laptop.

[0025] In another example, at least one electronic device can be or include a shared screen associated with a plurality of test instruments. The shared screen can be configured to simultaneously display alert signals (and / or at least one operator task described below) related to the plurality of test instruments of the measurement system.

[0026] For example, the shared screen can be installed at a central location or another suitable location in a facility including the measurement system.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one electronic device includes an automated operator robot capable of performing the required actions. Thus, by transmitting the alert signal to the automated operator robot, the automated operator robot is automatically alerted of the required external actions, so that the automated operator robot can automatically perform the required external actions in a timely manner. Therefore, downtime can be effectively reduced.

[0028] At least one test instrument can include an alert circuit, wherein the alert circuit is configured to generate a visual alert and / or an audible alert based on the alert signal. Thus, in addition to transmitting the alert signal to at least one external device, the human operator and / or the automated operator robot can also be alerted of the required external actions by the visual alert and / or the audible alert.

[0029] For example, depending on the type of the required external action, different types of visual alerts and / or audible alerts can be generated.

[0030] The automated operator robot can be configured to recognize the generated visual alert and / or the generated audible alert and perform an external action associated with the generated visual alert and / or the generated audible alert.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention provides that the scheduling circuit is configured to generate at least one operator task if a state change of at least one test instrument that requires an external action is detected. Generally, at least one operator task can include information about the required external action, such that the human operator or the automated operator robot receives all the information necessary to perform the required external action.

[0032] For example, at least one operator task may include a list of steps to be performed for a required external action.

[0033] In fact, at least one operator task may include instructions for actions that must be performed.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the scheduling circuit is configured to transmit at least one operator task to at least one electronic device. Thus, the information necessary for performing the required external action is automatically transmitted to a human operator and / or an automated operator robot.

[0035] At least one electronic device may be configured to display at least one operator task. In other words, information about one or more steps to be performed may be displayed on a display of at least one electronic device.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one electronic device is configured to receive user input indicating whether at least one operator task is accepted or rejected. Thus, a human operator or an automated operator robot may select to accept or reject at least one operator task associated with the required external action.

[0037] Information about whether at least one operator task has been accepted or rejected may be transmitted back to the scheduling circuit.

[0038] According to one aspect of the present invention, the scheduling circuit is configured to transmit at least one operator task to at least one additional electronic device if at least one operator task is rejected. Thus, even if at least one operator task is rejected by a human operator or an automated operator robot, it is ensured that the required external action associated with at least one operator task is resolved.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the scheduling circuit may be configured to transmit at least one operator task to a plurality of electronic devices simultaneously. If one of the electronic devices accepts at least one operator task, a corresponding confirmation signal may be transmitted to the scheduling circuit, and the scheduling circuit may be configured to delete at least one operator task of the other electronic devices by sending a corresponding signal to the other electronic devices.

[0040] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that if at least one operator task is open (i.e., unresolved) within a predefined period of time, the scheduling circuit may transmit a reminder message to at least one external device.

[0041] Another aspect of the present invention provides that at least one electronic device is configured to receive or generate an operator input indicating that at least one operator task has been completed, wherein the at least one electronic device is configured to generate an acknowledgement signal based on the operator input. The acknowledgement signal may be transmitted to a scheduling circuit, which may remove the at least one completed operator task from a list of open operator tasks.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the acknowledgement signal may be transmitted to at least one test instrument.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one test instrument is configured to perform test steps and / or calibration steps based on the acknowledgement signal. Thus, after receiving an acknowledgement that an external action required to perform a measurement has been completed, the at least one test instrument may automatically resume the measurement or start a new measurement, thereby minimizing the downtime of the at least one test instrument.

[0044] Another aspect of the present invention provides that at least one test instrument is configured to receive an operator input indicating that at least one operator task has been completed, wherein the at least one test instrument is configured to generate an acknowledgement signal based on the operator input. The acknowledgement signal may be transmitted to a scheduling circuit, which may remove the at least one completed operator task from a list of open operator tasks.

[0045] The at least one electronic device may be an automated operator robot, wherein the automated operator robot is configured to automatically perform at least one operator task. Thus, at least one operator task may be automatically resolved without the intervention of a human operator.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the scheduling circuit is configured to transmit at least one operator task to at least one electronic device based on at least one criterion.

[0047] In particular, the at least one criterion relates to the distance of the at least one electronic device from the at least one test instrument, the number of outstanding tasks of the at least one electronic device, and / or the user of the at least one electronic device.

[0048] For example, at least one operator task may first be transmitted to the electronic device closest to the at least one test instrument. If the electronic device rejects the at least one operator task, the at least one operator task may be transmitted to the second closest electronic device, and so on.

[0049] As another example, at least one operator task can first be transmitted to an electronic device having the lowest number of outstanding operator tasks. If the electronic device rejects the at least one operator task, the at least one operator task can be transmitted to an electronic device having the second lowest number of operator tasks, and so on.

[0050] In another example, at least one operator task can be transmitted to an electronic device associated with a human operator who has experience and / or expertise in the required external actions associated with the at least one operator task.

[0051] Another aspect of the invention provides for integrating a scheduling circuit into at least one test instrument. Thus, the at least one test instrument is configured to automatically alert the at least one electronic device of the required external actions.

[0052] In fact, the scheduling circuit can be configured to transmit an alert signal directly or indirectly to the at least one electronic device.

[0053] In other words, the scheduling circuit (in particular, the scheduling circuit integrated into at least one test instrument) can indirectly transmit an alert signal (as well as the above-mentioned at least one operator task) via a computing device interconnected between the at least one test instrument and the at least one electronic device. For example, the computing device can be a server.

[0054] Alternatively, the scheduling circuit (in particular, the scheduling circuit integrated in at least one test instrument) can directly transmit an alert signal (as well as the above-mentioned at least one operator task) to the at least one electronic device via a suitable wired or wireless connection (in particular, via Ethernet, Bluetooth, WLAN, 4G, and / or 5G).

[0055] In another embodiment of the invention, the measurement system further includes at least one computing device, wherein the scheduling circuit is integrated into the at least one computing device. For example, the computing device can be a server, a personal computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or any other suitable type of intelligent device.

[0056] Another aspect of the invention provides that the at least one test instrument includes a vector network analyzer. However, it should be understood that the at least one test instrument can be or include any other type of test and / or measurement instrument, such as a signal analyzer, a spectrum analyzer, an oscilloscope, a signal generator (such as an arbitrary waveform generator), etc.

[0057] According to the present invention, this problem is further solved by a test instrument. The test instrument includes a test circuit, wherein the test circuit is configured to measure a measurement signal received from a device under test and / or generate a test signal for the device under test. The test instrument further includes a monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to monitor the state of at least one test instrument, wherein the state is associated with a measurement being performed on the device under test. The monitoring circuit is configured to generate an alarm signal if a change in the state of at least one test instrument that requires external action is detected. The monitoring circuit is configured to transmit the alarm signal to a scheduling circuit.

[0058] In particular, the scheduling circuit may be integrated into the test instrument.

[0059] For example, the test instrument may be a vector network analyzer.

[0060] However, it should be understood that the test instrument may be any other type of test and / or measurement instrument.

[0061] For further advantages and features of the test instrument, reference is made to the explanations given above regarding the measurement system, which also apply to the test instrument and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] When taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, many attendant advantages of the above aspects and the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated and better understood by reference to the following detailed description, in which:

[0063] - Figure 1 A measurement system according to the present invention is schematically illustrated;

[0064] - Figure 2 A first variant of the electronic device of the measurement system is schematically illustrated; Figure 1 of the measurement system;

[0065] - Figure 3 A second variant of the electronic device of the measurement system is schematically illustrated; and Figure 1 of the measurement system;

[0066] - Figure 4 Another variant of the measurement system according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments, where like numerals refer to like elements. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided by way of example or illustration only and should not be construed as superior to 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.

[0068] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means, for example, (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when listing more than three elements. In other words, the term "at least one of A and B" generally means "A and / or B", i.e., A alone, B alone, or A and B.

[0069] Figure 1 A measurement system 10 including a test instrument 12 and a device under test 14 is schematically illustrated.

[0070] Generally, the device under test 14 can be any type of electronic device that needs to be tested after manufacturing and / or calibration.

[0071] For example, the device under test 14 can be a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, pager, smartwatch, tablet computer, augmented reality system (such as smart glasses or another type of head-mounted display), etc.

[0072] As another example, the device under test 14 can be an RF device (such as an amplifier, attenuator, filter, mixer, etc.) configured to receive and process RF signals.

[0073] In another example, the device under test 14 can be a measurement instrument (such as a vector network analyzer, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, etc.) to be tested and / or calibrated.

[0074] Generally, the test instrument 12 is configured to perform measurements on the device under test 14 to evaluate the performance of the device under test 14 and / or calibrate the device under test 14.

[0075] The type of the test instrument 12 can depend on the type of the device under test 14 to be tested.

[0076] For example, the test instrument 12 can be a vector network analyzer.

[0077] However, it should be understood that the test instrument 12 can be any other type of test and / or measurement instrument (such as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, or spectrum analyzer).

[0078] In addition, it should be noted that the measurement system 10 can include multiple test instruments that perform measurements on a single device under test or on multiple devices under test.

[0079] Without limiting generality, exemplary embodiments of the illustrated measurement system 10 are described below Figure 1 The exemplary embodiment of the measurement system 10 shown.

[0080] The measurement system 10 may also include a connecting component 16 that connects the test instrument 12 to the device under test 14.

[0081] For example, the connecting component may include a cable, a connector, a switch matrix, a directional coupler, etc.

[0082] The measurement system 10 also includes a computing device 18 established separately from the test instrument 12 and the device under test 14.

[0083] For example, the computing device 18 may be a server, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer, or any other suitable type of intelligent device.

[0084] In addition, at least one electronic device 20 is provided in the measurement system 10, wherein the at least one electronic device 20 is established separately from the test instrument 12, the device under test 14, and the computing device 18.

[0085] In Figure 1 In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, three electronic devices 20 are provided. However, it should be understood that the measurement system 10 may include any other number of electronic devices 20.

[0086] The at least one electronic device 20 may be or include a mobile communication device of a human operator, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.

[0087] As another example, the at least one electronic device 20 may be or include a wearable electronic device, such as a smart watch, smart glasses, or another type of head-mounted display.

[0088] In another example, the at least one electronic device 20 may be or include an external computer device, such as a personal computer or a laptop computer.

[0089] In another example, the at least one electronic device 20 may be or include a shared screen associated with multiple test instruments 12.

[0090] For example, the shared screen may be installed at a central location or another suitable location in a facility including the measurement system 10.

[0091] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one electronic device 20 may be or include an automated operator robot configured to automatically perform certain tasks in the measurement system 10.

[0092] Generally, the various devices of the measurement system 10 cooperate to facilitate monitoring the status of the measurements performed by the test instrument 12 on the device under test 14.

[0093] Among them, the test instrument 12 includes a test circuit 22, which is connected to the device under test 14 via at least one port 24 of the test instrument 12.

[0094] The test circuit 22 is configured to measure the measurement signals received from the device under test 14 and / or generate test signals for the device under test 14.

[0095] The test instrument 12 further includes a monitoring circuit 26, which is configured to monitor the state of at least one test instrument 12.

[0096] More specifically, the monitoring circuit 26 is configured to monitor the state of the test instrument 12, particularly the state of the test circuit 22, which is associated with the measurements performed on the device under test 14.

[0097] If the monitoring circuit 26 detects a change in the monitored state that requires an external action to be performed, the monitoring circuit 26 generates an alarm signal that indicates that a state change requiring an external action has occurred.

[0098] In fact, the alarm signal may include additional information about the state change.

[0099] For example, the alarm signal may include information about the type of state change, information about the measurements performed before the state change, the identification of the test instrument 12, configuration data including information about the operating parameters of the test instrument 12, etc.

[0100] Optionally, the test instrument 12 may include an alarm circuit 28, which is configured to receive the alarm signal and generate a visual alarm and / or an audible alarm based on the alarm signal.

[0101] For example, the alarm circuit 28 may include a light source (such as an LED), which is configured to generate a visual alarm.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally, the alarm circuit 28 may include an audible speaker configured to generate an audible alarm.

[0103] In fact, the alarm circuit 28 may be configured to generate different types of visual alarms and / or audible alarms depending on the type of external action required.

[0104] Different types of alarms may include different light colors, different light flashing patterns, different alarm sounds, etc.

[0105] The monitoring circuit 26 or rather the test instrument 12 is configured to transmit the alarm signal to the computing device 18, more specifically to the scheduling circuit 30 integrated in the computing device 18.

[0106] The alarm signal can be transmitted via any suitable type of wired and / or wireless connection between the test instrument 12 and the computing device 18, such as via Ethernet, Bluetooth, WLAN, 4G, and / or 5G.

[0107] The scheduling circuit 30 is configured to process the alarm signal and generate at least one operator task based on the alarm signal.

[0108] Typically, the at least one operator task generated includes information about the required external actions.

[0109] For example, the at least one operator task can include information about the individual steps to be performed.

[0110] In fact, the at least one operator task can include instructions for the actions to be performed.

[0111] In a specific example, the at least one operator task can include information about how the connection components 16 must be adapted, for example, which cable must be connected to the device under test 14 and / or which port of the at least one test instrument 12.

[0112] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one operator task can include information about the test instrument 12, such as the identification of the test instrument 12, the operating parameters of the test instrument 12, and / or the location of the test instrument 12.

[0113] The scheduling circuit 30 is configured to transmit the alarm signal and the at least one operator task to at least one electronic device 20, for example, exactly to one electronic device 20.

[0114] The alarm signal and the at least one operator task can be transmitted via any suitable type of wired and / or wireless connection between the computing device 18 and the at least one electronic device 20, such as via Ethernet, Bluetooth, WLAN, 4G, and / or 5G.

[0115] In fact, the scheduling circuit 30 can be configured to selectively transmit the alarm signal and the at least one operator task to the at least one electronic device 20 based on at least one criterion.

[0116] For example, the alarm signal and the at least one operator task can first be transmitted to the electronic device 20 closest to the test instrument 12.

[0117] As another example, the alarm signal and the at least one operator task can first be transmitted to the electronic device 20 with the lowest number of outstanding operator tasks.

[0118] In another example, at least one operator task can be transmitted to an electronic device 20 associated with a human operator who has experience and / or expertise in the required external actions associated with at least one operator task.

[0119] As described above, at least one electronic device 20 can be a mobile communication device of a human operator or an automated operator robot.

[0120] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the electronic device 20 is schematically shown, which is a mobile communication device of an operator, an external computer device of an operator, or a shared screen.

[0121] The electronic device 20 includes a user interface 32 and a display 34.

[0122] The electronic device 20 is configured to display an alert signal and / or at least one operator task on the display 34.

[0123] The human operator can decide to accept or reject at least one operator task via the user interface 32.

[0124] After receiving the corresponding user input, the electronic device 20 sends information back to the scheduling circuit 30 regarding whether the task has been accepted.

[0125] If the human operator rejects at least one operator task, the scheduling circuit 30 can transmit at least one operator task to another electronic device 20.

[0126] If at least one operator task is neither accepted nor rejected by the human operator within a predetermined period of time, the scheduling circuit 30 can send a reminder message to at least one electronic device 20, where the reminder message can be displayed on the display 34.

[0127] At least one electronic device 20 can also be configured to receive an operator input via the user interface 32, where the operator input indicates that at least one operator task has been completed.

[0128] After receiving the operator input, the electronic device 20 generates an acknowledgement signal that is transmitted to the scheduling circuit 30 and / or at least one test instrument 12.

[0129] After receiving the acknowledgement signal, the scheduling circuit 30 can remove at least one completed operator task from the list of uncompleted operator tasks.

[0130] At least one test instrument 12 or rather the test circuit 22 can be configured to perform test steps and / or calibration steps upon receiving the acknowledgement signal.

[0131] In other words, after receiving confirmation that an external action required to perform a measurement has been completed, at least one test instrument 12 can automatically resume the measurement or start a new measurement.

[0132] It should be noted that it is also conceivable that the operator input confirming that the required external action has been completed can also be received directly by at least one test instrument 12 (e.g., via a suitable user interface of at least one test instrument 12).

[0133] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the electronic device 20 as an automated operator robot is schematically shown.

[0134] The electronic device 20 includes a tool and a mobile device 36 and a processing circuit 38.

[0135] Generally, the tool and the mobile device 36 allow the automated operator robot to interact with at least one test instrument 12, the device under test 14, and / or the connection component 16.

[0136] In fact, the tool and the mobile device 36 may include a mobile device configured to move the automated operator robot or at least some components of the automated operator robot.

[0137] For example, the mobile device may include an electric motor, wheels, a chain drive, a turntable, a conveyor belt, etc.

[0138] The tool and the mobile device 36 may also include a tool that allows the automated operator robot to modify the measurement settings of the measurement system 10.

[0139] For example, the tool may include a robotic arm configured to attach a cable to at least one test instrument 12 and detach it therefrom and / or attach a cable to the device under test 14 and detach it therefrom.

[0140] As another example, the tool may include an input device, such as a robotic arm or a wireless communication circuit, configured to operate at least one test instrument 12 and / or the device under test 14, in particular to set the operating parameters of at least one test instrument 12 and / or the device under test 14.

[0141] The processing circuit 38 is configured to process the alarm signal received from the scheduling circuit 30 and / or at least one operator task.

[0142] The processing circuit 38 is also configured to automatically accept at least one operator task or reject at least one operator task.

[0143] The electronic device 20 can send information back to the scheduling circuit 30 regarding whether the task has been accepted.

[0144] If the automated operator robot rejects at least one operator task, the scheduling circuit 30 can transfer the at least one operator task to another electronic device 20.

[0145] If the automated operator robot accepts at least one operator task, the processing circuit 38 can automatically control the automated operator robot, in particular the tool and the mobile device 36, to perform the required external action.

[0146] After the required external action has been performed, at least one electronic device 20 or more precisely the processing circuit 38 can generate an operator input, where the operator input indicates that at least one operator task has been completed.

[0147] The electronic device 20 or more precisely the processing circuit 38 can generate an acknowledgment signal that is transmitted to the scheduling circuit 30 and / or at least one test instrument 12.

[0148] After receiving the acknowledgment signal, the scheduling circuit 30 can remove the at least one completed operator task from the list of uncompleted operator tasks.

[0149] At least one test instrument 12 or more precisely the test circuit 22 can be configured to perform test steps and / or calibration steps when receiving the acknowledgment signal.

[0150] In other words, after receiving the acknowledgment that the external action required to perform the measurement has been completed, at least one test instrument 12 can automatically resume the measurement or start a new measurement.

[0151] Figure 4 Another variant of the measurement system 10 is shown, where only the differences compared to the first variant of the measurement system 10 described above are explained below.

[0152] In this exemplary embodiment, the scheduling circuit 30 is integrated into at least one test instrument 12.

[0153] Thus, at least one test instrument 12 or more precisely the scheduling circuit 30 integrated into at least one test instrument 12 is configured to generate the at least one operator task described above.

[0154] Furthermore, at least one test instrument 12 or more precisely the scheduling circuit 30 integrated into at least one test instrument 12 is configured to perform the other functions of the scheduling circuit 30 described above.

[0155] Wherein, the scheduling circuit 30 is configured to communicate directly or indirectly with at least one electronic device 20.

[0156] In other words, an alert signal, at least one operator task, an acknowledgement signal, and / or other signals can be directly exchanged between the scheduling circuit 30 of the test instrument 12 and at least one electronic device 20 via any suitable type of wired or wireless connection (such as via Ethernet, Bluetooth, WLAN, 4G, and / or 5G).

[0157] In this case, the computing device 18 is not necessary.

[0158] Alternatively or additionally, an alert signal, at least one operator task, an acknowledgement signal, and / or other signals can be indirectly exchanged between the scheduling circuit 30 of the test instrument 12 and at least one electronic device 20 via the computing device 18.

[0159] In other words, the computing device 18 interconnects between at least one test instrument 12 and at least one electronic device 20. The computing device 18 is configured to forward signals from at least one test instrument 12 to at least one electronic device 20, and vice versa.

[0160] Certain embodiments disclosed herein, particularly corresponding module(s) and / or unit(s), utilize circuitry (such as one or more circuits) to implement the standards, protocols, methods, or techniques 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. Any type of circuitry can be used.

[0161] In an embodiment, among other aspects, the circuitry includes one or more computing devices such as a processor (such as 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 combination thereof; and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (such as implementations in analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0162] In an embodiment, the circuitry includes a combination of a circuit and a computer program product having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer-readable memories, which work together to cause the device to perform one or more of the protocols, methods, or techniques described herein. In an embodiment, the circuitry includes a circuit that requires software, firmware, and the like for operation, such as, for example, a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor. In an embodiment, the circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof, and attendant software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0163] This application may refer to quantities and numbers. Unless otherwise specified, such quantities and numbers should not be regarded as restrictive, but rather as examples of possible quantities or numbers associated with this application. Additionally, in this regard, this application may use the term "plurality" to refer to a quantity or number. In this regard, the term "plurality" means any number greater than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms "about", "approximate", "close", etc. mean plus or minus 5% of a specified value.

Claims

1. A measurement system, the measurement system (10) comprising at least one test instrument (12), a monitoring circuit (26), a scheduling circuit (30), and at least one electronic device (20), Among them, the at least one test instrument (12) comprising a test circuit (22), wherein the test circuit (22) is configured to measure measurement signals received from a device under test (14) and / or generate test signals for the device under test (14), wherein the monitoring circuit (26) is configured to monitor the state of the at least one test instrument (12), wherein the state is associated with measurements being performed on the device under test (14), and wherein the monitoring circuit (26) is configured to generate an alarm signal if a change in the state of the at least one test instrument (12) that requires an external action is detected, and wherein the scheduling circuit (30) is configured to transmit the alarm signal to the at least one electronic device (20), wherein the at least one electronic device (20) is established separately from the at least one test instrument (12).

2. The measurement system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one test instrument (12) comprises the monitoring circuit (26).

3. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) comprises a mobile communication device of an operator, an external computer device of the operator, and / or a shared screen.

4. The measuring system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) comprises an automated operator robot capable of performing the required action.

5. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one test instrument (12) comprises an alarm circuit (28), wherein the alarm circuit (28) is configured to generate a visual alarm and / or an audible alarm based on the alarm signal.

6. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The scheduling circuit (30) is configured to generate at least one operator task if a change in the state of the at least one test instrument (12) that requires the external action is detected.

7. The measurement system according to claim 6, wherein, The scheduling circuit (30) is configured to transmit the at least one operator task to the at least one electronic device (20).

8. The measurement system according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) is configured to display the at least one operator task.

9. The measurement system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) is configured to receive user input indicating whether the at least one operator task is accepted or rejected, and in particular, wherein the scheduling circuit (30) is configured to transmit the at least one operator task to at least one additional electronic device (20) if the at least one operator task is rejected.

10. The measurement system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) is configured to receive or generate operator input indicating that the at least one operator task has been completed, and wherein the at least one electronic device (20) is configured to generate a confirmation signal based on the operator input, and in particular, wherein the at least one test instrument (12) is configured to perform test steps and / or calibration steps based on the confirmation signal.

11. The measurement system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, The at least one test instrument (12) is configured to receive an operator input indicating that the at least one operator task has been completed, and wherein the at least one test instrument (12) is configured to generate an acknowledgement signal based on the operator input.

12. The measurement system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein, The at least one electronic device (20) is an automated operator robot, and wherein the automated operator robot is configured to automatically perform the at least one operator task.

13. The measuring system according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein, The scheduling circuit (30) is configured to transmit the at least one operator task to the at least one electronic device (20) based on at least one criterion.

14. The measurement system according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one criterion relates to the distance of the at least one electronic device (20) from the at least one test instrument (12), the number of unfinished tasks of the at least one electronic device (20), and / or the user of the at least one electronic device (20).

15. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The scheduling circuit (30) is integrated into the at least one test instrument (12), and in particular, wherein the scheduling circuit (30) is configured to transmit the alarm signal directly or indirectly to the at least one electronic device (20).

16. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the test system further comprises at least one computing device (18), and wherein the scheduling circuit (30) is integrated into the at least one computing device.

17. The measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one test instrument (12) comprises a vector network analyzer.

18. A test instrument, wherein the test instrument (12) comprises a test circuit (22), and wherein the test circuit (22) is configured to measure a measurement signal received from a device under test (14) and / or generate a test signal for the device under test (14). The test instrument (12) further includes a monitoring circuit (26), wherein the monitoring circuit (26) is configured to monitor the state of at least one test instrument (12), wherein the state is associated with a measurement being performed on the device under test (14), wherein the monitoring circuit (26) is configured to generate an alarm signal if a change in the state of the at least one test instrument (12) that requires external action is detected, and wherein, The monitoring circuit (26) is configured to transmit the alarm signal to the scheduling circuit (30).

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