Signal Generator Emulating Crosstalk via S-Parameter Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing setup for testing high-speed digital signaling standards, such as DisplayPort, is cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors, lacking flexibility in modifying channel and signal parameters, and often requires costly revisions with new cabling and fixtures, which do not accurately emulate the crosstalk effects of actual hardware signal channels.
Innovation Solution
A signal generator with a central processing unit and user interface for setting victim and aggressor signal parameters, utilizing S-parameter conversion and crosstalk emulation circuits to generate a waveform record file representing the victim signal with emulated crosstalk effects, allowing for flexible parameter adjustments and accurate simulation of crosstalk in signal channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional test setup with physical cabling and fixtures is used to generate crosstalk, then the test can be performed, but the setup is cumbersome, time-consuming, and lacks flexibility in modifying channel and signal parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical signal channel by measuring its S-parameters and using those measurements to generate emulated crosstalk signals. This virtual model replaces the need for complex physical fixtures and cabling, allowing flexible parameter modification through software rather than physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical setup (cabling, fixtures, TTC modules) with an electronic/software-based system. The S-parameter measurement and signal generation are performed using electronic instruments and digital signal processing, eliminating the need for mechanical physical connections and allowing programmatic control of channel characteristics.
2Reliability
If physical cabling and test fixtures are used to emulate crosstalk, then crosstalk effects can be tested, but costly revisions are required when standards change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses S-parameter measurements to capture the electrical characteristics of the signal channel and then modifies these parameters through software to emulate different crosstalk conditions. When testing standards change, only the software parameters need to be updated, not the physical hardware, making revisions cost-effective and quick.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital twin of the physical channel using measured S-parameters. This digital model can be repeatedly modified and reused without physical hardware changes, eliminating the need for costly physical revisions when testing new standards or configurations.
3Measurement precision
If physical test fixtures are used, then crosstalk can be generated, but the setup does not accurately emulate the crosstalk effects of actual hardware signal channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses S-parameter measurements from actual physical channels as feedback to create accurate emulated crosstalk signals. By measuring the real channel characteristics and using those same measurements to generate the test signals, the system achieves high accuracy without requiring complex physical fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical test fixtures with an electronic measurement and signal generation system. By using S-parameter analysis and digital signal processing, the system achieves more accurate crosstalk emulation than physical fixtures can provide, while being simpler to configure and modify.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal generator produces a victim signal having crosstalk emulation by filtering and combining a victim signal waveform record file and an aggressor signal waveform record file generated using parameters selected by a user. A signal channel or a cascaded signal channel is characterized using one or more S-parameter arrays. The S-parameter array or arrays represent a mixed-mode multiple-port device under test. Coefficients of a NEXT filter, a FEXT filter and a forward transmission filter are derived from selected S-parameters of the S-parameter array. The aggressor signal is filtered individually by the NEXT and FEXT filters. The victim signal is summed with the filtered aggressor signal from the NEXT filter with the resulting summed signal being filtered by the forward transmission filter. The filtered signal from the forward transmission filter is summed with the filtered aggressor signal from the FEXT filter to generate a victim signal having crosstalk emulation.