Waveform measuring instrument and waveform display method

Abstract

To improve a technique for displaying compressed data.SOLUTION: A waveform measuring instrument 100 according to the present disclosure includes a control unit 120 that compresses digital data for each predetermined compression section to generate the compressed data, and a display unit 140 that generates a compressed waveform based on the compressed data and displays the compressed waveform. The control unit 120 generates, for each compression section, first data that indicates whether or not the waveform measuring instrument 100 has received a communication signal in the compression section, and the display unit 140 generates the compressed waveform based on the first data so as not to display the compressed data for the compression section in which the communication signal has not been received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a waveform measuring instrument and a waveform display method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, waveform measuring instruments that acquire various types of data and display the waveform of the acquired data are known.

[0003] Some waveform measuring instruments are capable of compressing acquired data and displaying the waveform of the compressed data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a waveform display apparatus that can speed up waveform display of compressed data by generating the compressed data in parallel with data acquisition.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] There is room for improvement in the technology for displaying compressed data in waveform measuring instruments.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a waveform measuring instrument and a waveform display method that can improve the technology for displaying compressed data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Waveform measuring instruments according to several embodiments include a control unit that compresses digital data for each predetermined compression section to generate compressed data, and a display unit that generates a compressed waveform based on the compressed data and displays the compressed waveform. The control unit generates first data for each compression section indicating whether or not the waveform measuring instrument has received a communication signal in that section, and the display unit generates the compressed waveform based on the first data such that it does not display the compressed data for the compression section in which the communication signal has not been received. Such a waveform measuring instrument makes it possible to improve the technology for displaying compressed data.

[0008] In a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment, the compressed data may include the maximum and minimum values ​​of the digital data in the compressed section. This makes it possible to generate compressed data that includes the maximum and minimum values.

[0009] In a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment, the control unit may generate second data indicating the number of digital data received in each compression section, and the display unit may generate the compressed waveform based on the second data, changing the display mode of the compressed data according to the number of digital data received in each compression section. This allows the user to easily grasp the number of digital data received in each compression section.

[0010] In a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment, the display unit may generate the compressed waveform such that the color of the compressed data changes according to the number of digital data received in the compression section. This allows the user to easily grasp the number of digital data received in the compression section by color.

[0011] Some embodiments of the waveform display method are waveform display methods for a waveform measuring instrument, and include the steps of: generating compressed data by compressing digital data for each predetermined compression interval; generating first data for each compression interval indicating whether or not the waveform measuring instrument has received a communication signal in the compression interval; generating a compressed waveform based on the compressed data; and displaying the compressed waveform, wherein the step of generating the compressed waveform generates the compressed waveform based on the first data such that the compressed data for the compression interval in which the communication signal has not been received is not displayed. Such a waveform display method makes it possible to improve the technology for displaying compressed data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a waveform measuring instrument and a waveform display method that can improve the technology for displaying compressed data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows the schematic configuration of a waveform measuring instrument related to a comparative example. [Figure 2] This figure shows how PP data is generated in the waveform measuring instrument related to the comparative example. [Figure 3] This figure shows how the PP waveform is displayed in the waveform measuring instrument relating to the comparative example. [Figure 4] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows how PP data is generated in a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows how a PP waveform is displayed in a waveform measuring instrument according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] (Comparative example) First, we will describe the waveform measuring instrument related to the comparative example and discuss its problems.

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a waveform measuring instrument 200 according to a comparative example. The waveform measuring instrument 200 includes an input unit 210, a control unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a display unit 240.

[0016] The input unit 210 is an interface that imports data related to measurement signals of each channel into the waveform measuring instrument 200. The input unit 210 includes an input port 211 and an input signal analysis circuit 212.

[0017] The input port 211 captures the measurement signal of channel 1. The measurement signal is, for example, a communication signal such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or CANFD (CAN with Flexible Data rate).

[0018] The input signal analysis circuit 212 analyzes the packet of the communication signal supplied from the input port 211 and converts it into digital data. Further, the input signal analysis circuit 212 outputs the digital data to the control unit 220 each time a communication signal is received.

[0019] The control unit 220 is a block that processes the digital data supplied from the input unit 210. The control unit 220 includes a timing generation circuit 221, a frequency divider 222, a PP compressor 223, and a memory controller 224. Note that "PP" in the PP compressor 223 means "Peak to Peak".

[0020] The timing generation circuit 221 is a circuit that generates sampling timing, which is the timing for acquiring data from the input unit 210.

[0021] The frequency divider 222 is a circuit that divides the frequency of the sampling timing supplied from the timing generation circuit 221 to generate compression timing. Hereinafter, "compression timing" may be referred to as "PP timing" in the description.

[0022] The PP compressor 223 acquires data supplied from the input unit 210 for each sample timing supplied from the timing generation circuit 221.

[0023] Figure 2 shows how the PP compressor 223 acquires data. In Figure 2, the timing indicated as "st" is the sampling timing. Also in Figure 2, the data indicated as "input data" is the data that the input unit 210 supplies to the PP compressor 223.

[0024] The PP compressor 223 acquires data supplied from the input unit 210 at the sample timing indicated as "st" in Figure 2.

[0025] In the "input data" shown in Figure 2, for example, data with a colored background, such as indicated by reference numeral 301, is data output by the input unit 210 when the waveform measuring instrument 200 is receiving a communication signal. Conversely, data without a colored background, such as indicated by reference numeral 302, is data output by the input unit 210 when the waveform measuring instrument 200 is not receiving a communication signal.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, when the waveform measuring instrument 200 is not receiving a communication signal, the input unit 210 holds previously received data and outputs the held data to the PP compressor 223. For example, the data "8" indicated by reference numeral 302 is the data that holds the data "8" indicated by reference numeral 301.

[0027] The PP compressor 223 generates compressed data at each PP timing indicated as "pt" in Figure 2. The compressed data includes the maximum and minimum values ​​of the data acquired by the PP compressor 223 in the corresponding compression section. Hereafter, "compressed data" may be referred to as "PP data," and "compression section" may be referred to as "PP section."

[0028] For example, in the example shown in Figure 2, the PP compressor 223 acquires "8" and "2" as data in the PP interval between PT3 and PT4. Therefore, since the maximum value in this PP interval is "8" and the minimum value is "2", the PP compressor 223 generates PP data containing "8" and "2" at the PP timing of PT4.

[0029] The PP compressor 223 outputs the generated PP data to the memory controller 224.

[0030] The memory controller 224 outputs the PP data acquired from the PP compressor 223 to the storage unit 230.

[0031] The storage unit 230 is a block that stores PP data supplied from the control unit 220. The storage unit 230 includes a PP compressed waveform memory 231.

[0032] The PP compressed waveform memory 231 stores the PP data supplied from the control unit 220.

[0033] The display unit 240 is a block that generates a compressed waveform based on the PP data stored in the PP compressed waveform memory 231 and displays the compressed waveform. Hereafter, the "compressed waveform" may be referred to as the "PP waveform." The display unit 240 comprises a display waveform generation circuit 241 and a display unit 242.

[0034] The display waveform generation circuit 241 generates a PP waveform based on the PP data stored in the PP compressed waveform memory 231.

[0035] The display unit 242 displays the PP waveform generated by the display waveform generation circuit 241.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of a PP waveform displayed by the display unit 242. In the PP waveform shown in Figure 3, the horizontal axis represents PP timing and the vertical axis represents PP data. The PP timings PT1 to PT12 shown on the horizontal axis of Figure 3 correspond to PT1 to PT12 shown in Figure 2.

[0037] The PP waveform shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the case where the data supplied by the input unit 210 to the PP compressor 223 is the data shown in Figure 2.

[0038] When the display unit 142 displays a PP waveform as shown in Figure 3, it is not possible to determine whether or not the waveform measuring instrument 200 received a communication signal in a predetermined PP section.

[0039] For example, referring to Figure 2, in the PP section between PT2 and PT3, the waveform measuring instrument 200 does not receive a communication signal. Therefore, the PP data generated by PT3, with a maximum value of "8" and a minimum value of "8", is PP data generated for a PP section in which the waveform measuring instrument 200 did not receive a communication signal. Similarly, the PP data generated by PT6, PT9, and PT10 is also PP data generated for a PP section in which the waveform measuring instrument 200 did not receive a communication signal.

[0040] However, referring to Figure 3, PP data is displayed for PT3, PT6, PT9, and PT10. Therefore, it is not possible to determine whether the waveform measuring instrument 200 received a communication signal in the PP section corresponding to PT3, PT6, PT9, and PT10.

[0041] (Waveform measuring instrument of this disclosure) Figure 4 shows a schematic configuration of a waveform measuring instrument 100 according to one embodiment. The waveform measuring instrument 100 includes an input unit 110, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a display unit 140.

[0042] The waveform measuring instrument 100 is a waveform measuring instrument that solves the problems of the waveform measuring instrument 200 in the comparative example described above. In other words, the waveform measuring instrument 100 can display a PP waveform so that it can determine whether or not the waveform measuring instrument 100 was receiving a communication signal.

[0043] The input unit 110 is an interface that inputs data related to the measurement signals of each channel into the waveform measuring instrument 100. The input unit 110 includes an input port 111 and an input signal analysis circuit 112.

[0044] Input port 111 receives the measurement signal from channel 1. The measurement signal is a communication signal such as CAN or CANFD. In this embodiment, the case where the measurement signal is a communication signal will be explained as an example.

[0045] The input signal analysis circuit 112 analyzes the communication signal packets supplied from the input port 111 and converts them into digital data. Furthermore, each time the input signal analysis circuit 112 receives a communication signal, it outputs the digital data to the control unit 120.

[0046] The control unit 120 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 120 controls each part of the waveform measuring instrument 100 and executes processes related to the operation of the waveform measuring instrument 100.

[0047] The control unit 120 is a block that processes the digital data supplied from the input unit 110. The control unit 120 includes a timing generation circuit 121, a frequency divider 122, a PP compressor 123, a first memory controller 124, a communication signal detector 125, and a second memory controller 126.

[0048] The timing generation circuit 121 is a circuit that generates the sample timing, which is the timing for acquiring data from the input unit 110. The timing generation circuit 121 outputs the generated sample timing to the frequency divider 122, the PP compressor 123, and the communication signal detector 125.

[0049] The frequency divider 122 is a circuit that divides the sample timing supplied from the timing generation circuit 221 to generate compressed timing (PP timing). PP timing is timing generated for each predetermined compression interval. The control unit 120 compresses the digital data supplied from the input unit 110 for each PP timing, that is, for each predetermined compression interval, to generate compressed data.

[0050] The frequency divider 122 outputs the generated PP timing to the PP compressor 123 and the communication signal detector 125.

[0051] The PP compressor 123 acquires data supplied from the input unit 110 for each sample timing supplied from the timing generation circuit 121.

[0052] Figure 5 shows how the PP compressor 123 acquires data. In Figure 5, the timing indicated as "st" is the sampling timing. Also in Figure 5, the data indicated as "input data" is the data that the input unit 110 supplies to the PP compressor 123.

[0053] The PP compressor 123 acquires data supplied from the input unit 110 at the sample timing indicated as "st" in Figure 5.

[0054] In the "input data" shown in Figure 5, for example, data with a colored background, such as indicated by reference numeral 401, is data output by the input unit 110 when the waveform measuring instrument 100 is receiving a communication signal. Also, for example, data without a colored background, such as indicated by reference numeral 402, is data output by the input unit 110 when the waveform measuring instrument 100 is not receiving a communication signal.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, when the waveform measuring instrument 100 is not receiving a communication signal, the input unit 110 holds previously received data and outputs the held data to the PP compressor 123. For example, the data "8" indicated by reference numeral 402 is the data that holds the data "8" indicated by reference numeral 401.

[0056] The PP compressor 123 generates compressed data (PP data) at each PP timing indicated as "pt" in Figure 5. The PP data includes the maximum and minimum values ​​of the data acquired by the PP compressor 123 in the corresponding compression interval (PP interval).

[0057] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, the PP compressor 123 acquires "8" and "2" as data in the PP interval between PT3 and PT4. Therefore, since the maximum value in this PP interval is "8" and the minimum value is "2", the PP compressor 123 generates PP data containing "8" and "2" at the PP timing of PT4.

[0058] The PP compressor 123 outputs the generated PP data to the first memory controller 124.

[0059] The first memory controller 124 outputs the PP data acquired from the PP compressor 123 to the storage unit 130 at each PP timing.

[0060] The communication signal detector 125 generates reception status data for each PP section, indicating whether or not the waveform measuring instrument 100 received a communication signal in that section. Hereafter, this reception status data may be referred to as "first data."

[0061] The communication signal detector 125 outputs "1" as the first data if the waveform measuring instrument 100 has received a communication signal in the PP section. The communication signal detector 125 outputs "0" as the first data if the waveform measuring instrument 100 has not received a communication signal in the PP section.

[0062] Figure 5 shows an example of reception status data (first data). For example, in the PP section between PT4 and PT5, the waveform measuring instrument 100 receives data "2". Therefore, the communication signal detector 125 generates "1" as reception status data (first data) at the PP timing of PT5 to indicate that data was received. Also, for example, in the PP section between PT5 and PT6, the waveform measuring instrument 100 does not receive data. Therefore, the communication signal detector 125 generates "0" as reception status data (first data) at the PP timing of PT6 to indicate that data was not received.

[0063] The communication signal detector 125 outputs the generated first data to the second memory controller 126.

[0064] The second memory controller 126 outputs the first data acquired from the communication signal detector 125 to the storage unit 130 at each PP timing.

[0065] The memory unit 130 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The semiconductor memory may also be, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).

[0066] The storage unit 130 includes a PP compressed waveform memory 131 and an event memory 132.

[0067] The PP compressed waveform memory 131 stores the PP data supplied from the first memory controller 124 of the control unit 120.

[0068] The event memory 132 stores the first data supplied from the second memory controller 126 of the control unit 120.

[0069] The display unit 140 includes a display waveform generation circuit 141 and a display unit 142.

[0070] The waveform display generation circuit 141 may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA or ASIC.

[0071] The display waveform generation circuit 141 generates a compressed waveform (PP waveform) based on the PP data stored in the PP compressed waveform memory 131 and the first data stored in the event memory 132. When generating the PP waveform, the display waveform generation circuit 141 generates the PP waveform based on the first data in such a way that it does not display the PP data for PP sections where a communication signal has not been received.

[0072] The waveform display circuit 141 displays the generated PP waveform using the display unit 142.

[0073] The display unit 142 includes at least one display output interface. The display output interface is, for example, a display. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 142 outputs data obtained by the operation of the waveform measuring instrument 100. The display unit 142 may be provided integrally with a touch panel capable of receiving input from the user. The display unit 142 displays the PP waveform based on the control of the display waveform generation circuit 141.

[0074] The display unit 142 displays the PP waveform generated by the display waveform generation circuit 141.

[0075] Figure 6 shows an example of a PP waveform displayed by the display unit 142. In the PP waveform shown in Figure 6, the horizontal axis represents the PP timing and the vertical axis represents the PP data. The PP timings PT1 to PT12 shown on the horizontal axis of Figure 6 correspond to PT1 to PT12 shown in Figure 5.

[0076] The PP waveform shown in Figure 6 corresponds to the case where the data supplied by the input unit 110 to the PP compressor 123 is the data shown in Figure 5.

[0077] Referring to Figure 6, at PP timings where the first data (reception status data) is "0", i.e., PT3, PT6, PT9, and PT10, the PP waveform does not display PP data. By displaying such a PP waveform, the user of the waveform measuring instrument 100 can easily understand that no communication signal was received in the PP sections corresponding to PT3, PT6, PT9, and PT10.

[0078] <Change in display format> In addition to generating PP waveforms so as not to display PP data in PP sections where no communication signals have been received, the display unit 140 of the waveform measuring instrument 100 may also generate PP waveforms in such a way that it changes the display mode of the PP data displayed on the display unit 142 according to the number of digital data received in the PP section. The processing in this case will be described below.

[0079] The communication signal detector 125 of the control unit 120 generates data indicating the number of digital data received in each PP section. Hereafter, the data indicating the number of digital data received in a PP section may be referred to as "second data."

[0080] The communication signal detector 125 outputs the generated second data to the second memory controller 126.

[0081] The second memory controller 126 outputs the second data acquired from the communication signal detector 125 to the storage unit 130 at each PP timing.

[0082] The event memory 132 of the storage unit 130 stores the second data supplied from the second memory controller 126 of the control unit 120.

[0083] The display waveform generation circuit 141 of the display unit 140 generates a PP waveform based on the PP data stored in the PP compressed waveform memory 131 and the first data and second data stored in the event memory 132.

[0084] The display waveform generation circuit 141 generates a PP waveform such that the display manner of the PP data changes according to the second data, that is, the display manner of the PP data changes according to the number of digital data received in the PP section.

[0085] The display waveform generation circuit 141 may generate PP waveforms such that the color of the PP data changes according to the number of digital data received in the PP section. For example, the display waveform generation circuit 141 may generate PP waveforms such that the PP data is displayed in a different color when the number of digital data received in the PP section is 10 or more.

[0086] In this way, by having the display unit 140 generate a PP waveform that changes the display mode of the PP data according to the second data, the user of the waveform measuring instrument 100 can easily determine whether or not a communication signal was received in the PP section, and also easily determine the number of digital data received in the PP section.

[0087] According to the waveform measuring instrument 100 of the above embodiment, it is possible to improve the technology for displaying compressed data. More specifically, the display unit 140 of the waveform measuring instrument 100 generates a compressed waveform based on first data so as not to display compressed data for compressed sections that have not received a communication signal. As a result, the user of the waveform measuring instrument 100 can easily understand which compressed sections have received a communication signal and which have not. Therefore, the waveform measuring instrument 100 can improve the technology for displaying compressed data.

[0088] Furthermore, the waveform measuring instrument 100 according to one embodiment generates compressed data in parallel with the reception of a communication signal and displays the generated compressed waveform on the display unit 140. This allows the waveform measuring instrument 100 to display the compressed waveform at high speed.

[0089] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure can be implemented in other predetermined forms besides the embodiments described above without deviating from its spirit or essential features. Therefore, the prior description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the prior description but by the added claims. Any modifications within their equivalent scope are incorporated therein.

[0090] For example, the arrangement and number of each component described above are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The arrangement and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily, as long as it can achieve its function.

[0091] For example, in the embodiment described above, the case in which the waveform measuring instrument 100 receives a communication signal was used as an example. However, the signal received by the waveform measuring instrument 100 is not limited to a communication signal, and may be a signal other than a communication signal.

[0092] For example, in the embodiment described above, the case in which the waveform measuring instrument 100 acquires the measurement signal of channel 1 was used as an example. However, the measurement signal acquired by the waveform measuring instrument 100 is not limited to the measurement signal of channel 1. The waveform measuring instrument 100 may acquire measurement signals from multiple channels. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 100 waveform measuring instruments 110 Input Section 111 input ports 112 Input signal analysis circuit 120 Control Unit 121 Timing generation circuit 122 Frequency divider 123 PP Compressor 124 First Memory Controller 125 Communication signal detector 126 Second Memory Controller 130 Storage section 131 PP Compressed Waveform Memory 132 Event Memory 140 Display section 141 Display waveform generation circuit 142 Display 200 Waveform measuring instrument 210 Input section 211 input ports 212 Input Signal Analysis Circuit 220 Control Unit 221 Timing generation circuit 222 Frequency divider 223 PP Compressor 224 Memory Controller 230 Storage section 231 PP Compressed Waveform Memory 240 Display section 241 Display waveform generation circuit 242 Display

Claims

1. A waveform measuring instrument, An input unit that takes in a communication signal as a measurement signal, analyzes the packets of the communication signal, and converts them into digital data, A control unit that compresses the digital data at predetermined compression intervals to generate compressed data, A display unit that generates a compressed waveform based on the compressed data and displays the compressed waveform, Equipped with, The control unit generates first data for each compression section indicating whether the waveform measuring instrument received the communication signal in the compression section. The waveform measuring instrument generates the compressed waveform based on the first data, such that it does not display the compressed data for the compressed section in which the communication signal has not been received.

2. In the waveform measuring instrument according to claim 1, The compressed data includes the maximum and minimum values ​​of the digital data in the compression interval, as measured by a waveform measuring instrument.

3. In the waveform measuring instrument according to claim 1, The control unit generates a second data indicating the number of digital data received in each compression section. The display unit generates the compressed waveform based on the second data, such that the display mode of the compressed data changes according to the number of digital data received in the compression section.

4. In the waveform measuring instrument according to claim 3, The display unit is a waveform measuring instrument that generates the compressed waveform so as to change the color of the compressed data according to the number of digital data received in the compression section.

5. A waveform display method in a waveform measuring instrument, The steps include: acquiring a communication signal as a measurement signal, analyzing the packets of the communication signal, and converting them into digital data; A step of compressing the digital data for each predetermined compression interval to generate compressed data, For each compression section, the step of generating first data indicating whether the waveform measuring instrument received the communication signal in the compression section, A step of generating a compressed waveform based on the aforementioned compressed data, The steps include displaying the compressed waveform, Includes, The step of generating the compressed waveform is a waveform display method that generates the compressed waveform based on the first data such that the compressed data for the compressed section in which the communication signal has not been received is not displayed.

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