Test and measurement apparatus and its operating method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TEKTRONIX INC
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
Smart Images
Figure 0007898268000001 
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Figure 0007898268000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a test and measurement device, and particularly to a system and method including software for operating the test and measurement device.
Background Art
[0002] Test and measurement devices such as oscilloscopes are often used to measure signals from a device under test (DUT). In some cases, it may be necessary to test or measure the DUT in a physically limited space, such as inside a temperature chamber, in order to test the performance of the DUT at high or low temperatures. In many cases, multiple users across multiple fields may need to use these test devices and DUTs. For example, one engineer may be responsible for the design and verification testing of a specific part of the DUT circuit, and another engineer may be responsible for the design and verification of another part of the DUT.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, for example, when creating a small-scale prototype of a certain DUT, the number of DUTs may be limited. Furthermore, since test and measurement devices are usually expensive capital equipment, the number of test and measurement devices may be limited. In the example of a temperature test, even if there are multiple available test and measurement devices, there may be a limit to the available power inside the temperature chamber, or there may be a limit to the space for installing the test and measurement device within a practical distance of the DUT.
[0005] Therefore, engineering teams often need to time-share test and measurement equipment and DUTs to sequentially perform necessary design verification tasks, which increases the time required to complete verification. When engineering teams need to time-share test and measurement equipment, it is often necessary to reconfigure the equipment. For example, it may be necessary to change the connection of the test and measurement equipment's inputs to different specific test points on the DUT, change the settings of the test and measurement equipment to perform different types of measurements, or change the data storage location. If the test and measurement equipment or DUT is located in a place such as a temperature chamber, it may be physically difficult to access the DUT or test and measurement equipment even if reconfiguration is attempted. In a time-sharing situation, even if multiple DUTs are available, only one user may be able to use the test and measurement equipment at a time.
[0006] Embodiments of the disclosed technology address these and other issues by providing a test and measurement device that allows each user to use the test and measurement device in such a way that they can have complete control over it, even when there are multiple users. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The embodiments provide one or more test measurement devices that can be used by multiple users. One or more test measurement devices may consist of a single test measurement device, or multiple test measurement devices may be grouped together and operated as if they were a single device. This will be referred to as a stack of test measurement devices or a conglomerate test measurement device. These conglomerate stacks themselves have existed for a long time and still serve only one user. In contrast, embodiments of the disclosed technology allow the resources of a single or conglomerate test measurement device to be arbitrarily subdivided so that two or more users can use the test measurement device stack in an independent manner. In other words, embodiments of the disclosed technology allow multiple users to "draw" resources from these stacks of test measurement devices as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the test and measurement device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for resolving resource contention between instances on a test measurement device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for configuring a test measurement device using multiple instances. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of how a test and measurement device operates using multiple instances. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] As used in this application, the term "test and measurement device" refers to a single test and measurement device, a conglomerate test and measurement device, or a multi-test and measurement device stack, where the terms "conglomerate test and measurement device" and "multi-test and measurement device stack" refer to any group consisting of multiple test and measurement devices that operate as a single test and measurement device.
[0010] The term "instance" refers to a configuration of a test measurement device, which may include one or more DUTs. An instance may take the form of a virtual machine or container of the test measurement device running on the test measurement device's operating system. Each instance has its own set of resources that allow the test measurement device to operate in a specific way. For example, one engineer may be responsible for designing and verifying a specific part of the circuit of a device under test (DUT), while another engineer is responsible for designing and verifying a different part of the DUT. For example, each engineer may have their own instance, which generates signals, applies those signals to the DUT, and monitors the resulting output signals from different parts of the DUT. In another example, there may be two or more DUTs. For example, one engineer may want to test one DUT, while another engineer may want to compare the functionality of multiple DUTs. The first engineer's instance may include only the first DUT as a resource, while the second engineer's instance may have two DUTs, both of which are mounted on one test measurement device or multiple different test measurement devices within a combined test measurement device. The test measurement device may be directly connected to one or more DUTs, digitally connected via a physical (PHY) interface or software abstraction layer using probes, or connected using a multiplexer or switching device such as an RF switch matrix.
[0011] Embodiments include a single test and measurement device or a combined (conglomerate) test and measurement device, which can serve multiple users in a way that allows each connected user to independently control, measure, and manipulate waveforms.
[0012] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of such a system 10. In system 10, the test measurement device 12 may consist of a single device such as an oscilloscope, or it may consist of a composite or "multi-stack" device composed of several different devices that function as if they were a single unit. Similarly, the processor 14 may consist of one processor or more processors that reside in a single device or span all devices in a group. The memory 16 may also have a similar architecture. The device also has a display 18 that is typically accessible to a "local" user (meaning a user close to the device). As will be described in more detail later, this device may display one of several user interfaces, such as those shown in 19.
[0013] The test measurement device 12 has at least one port 20, which allows the device 12 and the user to communicate across the network 24 via a communication link 22. The communication link may consist of a wired link such as an Ethernet® cable connected to the network link, or it may consist of a wireless link such as Wi-Fi compliant with the IEEE 802.11x standard. At least one other communication link 36 may be connected to one or more devices under test (DUT) 34, etc.
[0014] In one embodiment, the system 10 has a client-server architecture, and the test measurement device 12 transfers data to and from a user interface, which may reside on another device (user device), such as a computing device, mobile phone, or tablet, shown as device 30, for example. This would reduce the processing load on one or more processors of the test measurement device 12. Device 30 may have a wired or wireless "direct" connection 38 between device 30 and the test measurement device 12, or it may have a wired, wireless, or both network connection 32.
[0015] In one embodiment of System 10, there is a server 28 connected to a network by a connection line 26, which assists in the operation of the entire protocol of System 10 or causes the entire protocol of System 10 to operate. The server 28 may have access to a storage / memory device such as a cloud-based storage device 40 located remotely from the test measurement device 12, which stores execution instructions for each instance, user authentication information, user association information for multiple different instances, or any or all of these items. Alternatively, the test measurement device 12 may store any or all of these items and operate more locally (i.e., with less reliance on the network), or the test measurement device 12 may access the storage device 40 via either a direct link 44 or a network link 42.
[0016] Having described various embodiments of the entire system, next we will discuss when requests for resources within the system conflict. of While avoiding certain limitations, a method for enabling the sharing of the test measurement device 12 by multiple users will be described. As described above, each user can configure an instance in which the test measurement device operates as if they were controlling the entire device. Here, "user" may refer to a single user or a group of multiple users, and it should be noted that all users in the group have an interest in a particular instance. Also, "user" may be an automated test system or a machine learning device interface.
[0017] As described above, one or more processors of the test measurement device 12 can render one of several user interfaces on the display of the test measurement device 12 or the display of the user device 30. The user interface allows for master environment configuration of resources for each connected user (for example, which channels are available for each user, how much record length is available, etc.). This user interface is referred to in this application as the "master user interface". This interface allows a user to configure "their" instance, which provides the user with a list of available resources, etc., and information on how the test measurement device will operate when operating on this instance. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an example embodiment of how to configure an instance.
[0018] In step 50, the test measurement device 12 renders a master user interface on a display. As described above, the display may be a display on the test measurement device 12 or a display on a user device 30 located remotely from the test measurement device 12. When a user configures the test measurement device 12 via the interface, in step 52, the configuration signal is received back by the processor of one or more test measurement devices. The configuration is then associated with the user or user group in step 54 for later retrieval, converted into processor instructions for the test measurement device processor in step 56, and then stored in step 58.
[0019] An instance may take any of a number of forms in which instructions regarding this instance can operate on a test measurement device. Examples include virtual machines and containers. In the case of a virtual machine, typically, the software code that constitutes the machine has dedicated processing capabilities, time, memory, and storage allocated from the physical components of the host computer (in this case, the test measurement device). A file (also called an image file), when executed, operates like an actual test measurement device. Usually, since a virtual machine is partitioned from other parts of the system, it does not interfere with the primary operating system of the test measurement device.
[0020] Another example of an instance implementation is something provided within a container. A container provides another form of virtualization, where the container has all the elements necessary for operation. These elements may include, but are not limited to, executable files, binary code, libraries, environment configuration files, etc., and these operate on the physical CPU and memory components of the test measurement device, as well as any accessories (such as cables to the DUT). Since containers share access to the operating system, they are not usually isolated like virtual machines.
[0021] These examples show the possibilities of how an instance can be implemented. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any case. Any method may be used to operate an instance on a shared physical test measurement device. The memory may be composed of local memory used in the test measurement device, or may be remotely isolated as is most common in virtual machines, where each instance has its own memory partition or multiple instances share the memory. Methods of sharing memory may include remotely located memory such as cloud-based memory / storage.
[0022] When a user configures an instance, the user can use it to interactively operate a test measurement device. FIG. 3 shows one flowchart of an embodiment in which a user utilizes an instance to operate a test measurement device. If the system has associated an environment configuration with the user, in step 60, when the user logs in to the test measurement device or logs in to a service on a network that interacts with the test measurement device, the system searches for the instance associated with that user. This may include one or more processors of the test measurement device accessing a database of information configured with, for example, a username. If more than one instance is associated with the user, the system may present a list of options to the user for the user to select. In step 62, when an instance is selected, in step 64, one or more processors obtain the instructions necessary to create the instance. Then, in step 66, the instructions are executed to operate the instance.
[0023] By these instructions, the processor renders a dynamic instance user interface for each user configured according to the resources assigned to each connected user. This instance user interface presents the user with options and other options for the user to control their instance. Then, from the user's perspective, the test measurement device operates in a form where the user controls the test measurement device and the DUT, etc.
[0024] One problem arising from running multiple instances simultaneously on a single test measurement device is when two different instances attempt to access the same resource at the same time. One or more processors on the test measurement device require a conflict avoidance engine to mediate hardware and resource configurations to maximize each user's experience. One way to achieve this is by monitoring requests to determine if there are conflicting requests. While this process operates for each instance, the method for resolving instance conflicts shown in Figure 4 should be understood as allowing multiple instances to run this type of process simultaneously.
[0025] A user instance generates a request, such as access to a specific channel on a probe connected to the DUT, and in step 70, one or more processors receive these requests. In step 72, the processors determine if there are any conflicts. If there are no conflicts, one or more processors process the requests in step 74. If there are conflicts, the processors must determine the order in which to process the requests in step 76. As will be explained in more detail below, the test measurement device may have an administrator mode, which allows for assigning priorities to each instance. Furthermore, processors may raise or lower the priority of instances. For example, if a request has a time-constrained element and needs to be served sooner, the priority of that instance may be raised, even if the request came from an instance with a lower priority ranking.
[0026] Once priorities are determined, in step 78, one or more processors process the requests according to their priority. Because the processors operate according to this list of requests, there may be additional safeguards to ensure that requests do not expire or become invalid. For example, a request may have queries on several data points, and even if the request previously required these data points, these data points may be changed by the time the request is processed. In another example, the user may add the time required for a process to expire. Ideally, the prioritization process should avoid such conflicts. In step 80, if a request has expired, depending on how the user has configured the instance, if there is a way to process the request even though it has expired, the request can simply be returned to the processing queue in step 82. Alternatively, the system can notify the user in step 84 that the request has expired and ask for instructions from the user. This provides one way to resolve resource contention when multiple instances running concurrently are using the same resource.
[0027] The system may have other features or modifications. User interfaces, including the master user interface and instance user interfaces, may be graphical user interfaces, programmatic interfaces, or application programming interfaces (APIs). In addition to the configuration mode in which users set up user instances and the operation mode in which instances actually run, there may be an administrator mode. In administrator mode, users can set access permissions to instance resources, determine the priority of user instances, and define the conditions under which priority can be increased or decreased.
[0028] Users may not be able to obtain the necessary information and may not know whether the resources of the test measurement equipment are sufficient for the test. According to a different set of instructions, such as options within a different software package or instance configuration, administrators can be notified (advised) of potential resource conflicts based on predictions of the test and usage, or using statistics from previous usage.
[0029] This method allows multiple users to use the same device simultaneously for different purposes.
[0030] Embodiments of the disclosed technology can operate on a specially programmed general-purpose computer, including specially created hardware, firmware, digital signal processors, or processors that operate according to programmed instructions. The terms “controller” or “processor” in this application mean microprocessors, microcomputers, ASICs, and dedicated hardware controllers, etc. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be implemented by one or more computers (including monitoring modules) or other devices, using computer-readable data such as program modules and computer-executable instructions. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which, when executed by a processor in a computer or other device, perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data formats. Computer-executable instructions may be stored on computer-readable storage media such as hard disks, optical disks, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, etc. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the functions of the program modules may be combined or distributed as needed in various embodiments. Furthermore, these functions can be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). One or more aspects of the disclosed technology can be more effectively implemented using specific data structures, such data structures are considered to be within the scope of computer-executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.
[0031] The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried or stored in one or more computer-readable media that can be read and executed by one or more processors. Such instructions may be referred to as computer program products. The computer-readable media described herein means any medium accessible by a computing device. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media.
[0032] Computer storage media means any medium that can be used to store computer-readable information. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory and other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and other optical disc storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage devices and other magnetic storage devices, and any other volatile or non-volatile removable or non-removable media implemented by any technology. Computer storage media exclude signals themselves and temporary forms of signal transmission.
[0033] A communication medium means any medium that can be used for the communication of computer-readable information. Examples of communication mediums, though not limited to them, include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, air, or any other medium suitable for the communication of electrical, optical, radio frequency (RF), infrared, sound, or other forms of signals.
[0034] In addition, the description of this application refers to certain features. It should be understood that the disclosures herein include all possible combinations of these specific features. Where a particular feature is disclosed in relation to a particular aspect or example, that feature may, to the extent possible, also be used in relation to other aspects and examples.
[0035] Furthermore, when this application refers to a method having two or more defined steps or processes, these defined steps or processes may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as the circumstances do not rule out such possibilities. Examples
[0036] The following examples are provided that are useful for understanding the technology disclosed herein. These embodiments may include one or more of the examples described below, or any combination thereof.
[0037] Embodiment 1 is a test and measurement device comprising one or more processors, wherein when the processor executes code (program), the processor executes the following processes: accessing a user instance of the test and measurement device; receiving one or more requests from the user instance of the test and measurement device; determining whether there are any conflicts between the one or more requests and other requests relating to the components of the test and measurement device; resolving any conflicts as necessary; executing one or more operations to satisfy the requests; and displaying information obtained from the one or more operations on the instance user interface.
[0038] Example 2 is the test measurement apparatus of Example 1, wherein the above code further comprises code that causes the processor to perform the process of rendering the above instance user interface on a user device located remotely from the test measurement apparatus.
[0039] Example 3 is a test and measurement apparatus according to Example 1 or 2, wherein the code further comprises code that causes the processor to perform the following: a process of presenting the test and measurement apparatus user interface to the user, and a process of defining the user instance of the test and measurement apparatus by allocating resources in response to signals from the test and measurement apparatus user interface.
[0040] Example 4 is a test measurement apparatus of Example 3, wherein the above code further comprises code that causes the processor to execute a process to generate an instance user interface for each instance according to the resources allocated to the above instance.
[0041] Example 5 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the code further comprises code that causes the processor to perform a process of assigning priority to the instance.
[0042] Example 6 is the test measurement apparatus of Example 5, further comprising the above code causing the processor to execute a process that prioritizes resource requests from any instance that is active at the same time as the user instance, based on the priority assigned to all of the above instances.
[0043] Example 7 is a test and measurement device according to any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the code further comprises code that causes the processor to perform a process of transferring data generated by the test and measurement device for the user instance from the test and measurement device to a remote device specified by the user instance.
[0044] Example 8 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the above code further comprises code that causes the processor to execute a process to enter administrator mode.
[0045] Example 9 is the test measurement device of Example 8, wherein the code that causes the processor to execute the process of entering the administrator mode causes the processor to execute at least one of the following: a process of assigning a priority, a process of switching the operating mode of the test measurement device, and a process of restarting the test measurement device.
[0046] Example 10 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising either or both a local memory that is isolated, shared, or a combination thereof, and a remote memory located remotely from the test and measurement apparatus.
[0047] Example 11 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the code that causes the processor to execute a process for managing requests causes the processor to execute a process for identifying that a request from the user instance is in conflict with another request from another instance, a process for determining the priority of each of the requests, and a process for responding to the requests in order until all of the requests have been processed.
[0048] Example 12 is a test measurement apparatus of Example 11, wherein the code that causes the processor to execute processing in response to the above request causes the processor to execute processing to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed for a request in the processing queue, and processing to re-execute the above request.
[0049] Example 13 is a test measurement apparatus of Example 11, wherein the code that causes the processor to execute the process of re-executing the above request operates in response to the user of the user instance that requests the re-execution of the above request, or causes the processor to automatically re-execute the above request.
[0050] Example 14 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the test and measurement apparatus is either a single test and measurement apparatus or a combined (conglomerate) test and measurement apparatus.
[0051] Example 15 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 14, wherein one or more of the test and measurement apparatus user interface and the instance user interface are either a graphical user interface, a programmatic interface, or an application programming interface (API).
[0052] Example 16 is a test and measurement apparatus according to any of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the user interface of the test and measurement apparatus is configured to allow interactive operation with either an automated system or a machine learning system.
[0053] Embodiment 17 is a method for setting up one or more instances in a test measurement device, comprising: rendering a master user interface on a user device; receiving a signal that provides environment setting information for each user instance through the master user interface; associating each of the user instances with a specific user or user group; converting the environment setting information for each of the user instances into instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, allocate the resources of the test measurement device to each of the user instances; and storing the instructions for each of the user instances in memory.
[0054] Example 18 is the method of Example 17, wherein the process of converting the above environment setting information into the above instructions for each of the above user instances consists of either a process of creating a virtual machine for each of the above user instances, or a process of creating a container for each of the above user instances.
[0055] Example 19 is a method of either Example 17 or 18, further comprising: a process for receiving user authentication information; a process for determining a user instance associated with the user; a process for accessing memory to obtain the above-mentioned instruction relating to the user instance; and a process for executing the above-mentioned instruction as an instance on the test and measurement device.
[0056] Example 20 is a method for operating a test measurement device, comprising: rendering an instance user interface to a user device located remotely from the test measurement device; receiving one or more requests via the instance user interface; determining whether there are any conflicts between the one or more requests and other requests relating to the components of the test measurement device; resolving any conflicts as necessary; performing one or more operations to satisfy the requests; and displaying information obtained from the one or more operations on the instance user interface.
[0057] Example 21 is the method of Example 20, wherein the process for determining whether there is a conflict includes determining whether one or more of the above requests involve access to at least one component of the test measurement device that is busy in another instance.
[0058] Example 22 is a method of either Example 20 or 21, wherein the process for resolving the conflict includes placing one or more of the above requests and other requests relating to the above components into a processing queue based on either priority or reception time.
[0059] Example 23 is a method of any of Examples 20 to 22, wherein the process of performing one or more operations includes one or more of the following: a process of generating a waveform to be applied to the device under test; a process of collecting data from the device under test; a process of collecting waveform data; a process of resetting the test measurement apparatus; and a process of resetting the device under test.
[0060] For the sake of explanation, specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but it should be understood that various modifications are possible without deviating from the gist and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to anything other than the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0061] 10 Systems 12 Test and measurement equipment 14 processors 16 memory 18 displays 19. User Interface 20 ports 22 Communication Links 24 Network 26 Connection lines 28 servers 30 devices 32 Network Connections 34. Device under test (DUT) 36 Communication Links 38 Direct connection 40 Storage device 42 Network Links 44 Direct links
Claims
1. A test and measurement device comprising one or more processors, wherein when the processor executes code, The process of accessing the user instance of the above-mentioned test and measurement device, Processing to receive one or more requests from the user instance of the above-mentioned test measurement device, A process to determine whether there are any conflicts between one or more of the above requirements and other requirements relating to the components of the above test and measurement device, Processes to resolve conflicts as needed, A process that performs one or more actions to satisfy the above requirements, The process of displaying information obtained from one or more of the above operations in the instance user interface, The process of assigning priority to the above user instance, Based on the priority assigned to all of the above user instances, the process prioritizes resource requests from any instances that are active simultaneously with the above user instances. A test and measurement device in which the above processor performs the following.
2. The test and measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising code that causes the processor to perform the following: a process of presenting a test and measurement apparatus user interface to the user; and a process of defining the user instance of the test and measurement apparatus by allocating resources in response to signals from the test and measurement apparatus user interface.
3. The test and measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code that causes the processor to execute a process for managing the above requests causes the processor to execute a process for identifying that a request from the user instance is in conflict with another request from another instance, a process for determining the priority of each of the above requests, and a process for responding to the above requests in order until all of the above requests have been processed.
4. A test and measurement device comprising one or more processors, wherein when the processor executes code, The process of accessing the user instance of the above-mentioned test and measurement device, Processing to receive one or more requests from the user instance of the above-mentioned test measurement device, A process to determine whether there are any conflicts between one or more of the above requirements and other requirements relating to the components of the above test and measurement device, Processes to resolve conflicts as needed, A process that performs one or more actions to satisfy the above requirements, The process of displaying information obtained from one or more of the above operations in the instance user interface, A process to enter administrator mode which includes at least one of the following processes: a process to assign priority, a process to switch the operating mode of the test and measurement device, and a process to restart the test and measurement device. A test and measurement device in which the above processor performs the following.
5. A method for operating a test and measurement device, The process involves rendering an instance user interface to a remote user device from the above-mentioned test measurement device, The process of receiving one or more requests via the above instance user interface, A process to determine whether there are any conflicts between one or more of the above requirements and other requirements relating to the components of the above test and measurement device, Processes to resolve conflicts as needed, A process that performs one or more actions to satisfy the above requirements, The above instance user interface includes a process for displaying information obtained from one or more of the above operations, A process to enter administrator mode which includes at least one of the following processes: a process to assign priority, a process to switch the operating mode of the test and measurement device, and a process to restart the test and measurement device. A method for operating a test and measurement device equipped with [a specific feature / function].