Digital Bus Signal Persistence Display via Decay Circuitry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test and measurement systems, such as oscilloscopes, are unable to effectively display digital bus signals over time using heat maps and persist systems, as these methods are not suitable for discrete and digital signals, particularly in parallel buses that convey multiple values simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A digital phosphor oscilloscope (DPO) system employs persistence and decay circuitry to display digital bus signals by using DPO memory, where hit lines store hit frequencies and value lines store corresponding digital values, allowing for the depiction of digital values and their transitions over time, with graphical attributes changing to indicate frequency and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heat maps and persist systems are used to display signal changes over time, then analog signal analysis is improved, but digital bus signal display capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display approach by separating analog signal processing from digital bus signal processing. Digital bus signals are divided into individual signal lines, each tracked separately with its own persistence counter, allowing discrete digital values to be analyzed independently while maintaining overall bus context.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying traditional heat map persistence to digital signals (which fails), the patent inverts the approach by using persistence to track the absence of digital values. When a digital value does not appear on a bus line, the persistence counter increments, creating a visual representation of signal transitions and anomalies specific to digital protocols.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional persist features are used to maintain signal values over time, then analog signal persistence is improved, but digital signal transition tracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring digital bus lines and updating persistence counters based on detected signal transitions. When a digital value changes on a bus line, the system provides feedback by resetting the persistence counter, creating a dynamic visualization that automatically adapts to signal patterns without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring persistence counters for each digital bus line before signal acquisition begins. This allows the system to immediately track and visualize digital transitions as they occur, rather than requiring post-processing of captured data.
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement system is disclosed that includes an input for receiving a digital bus conducting a plurality of digital values, a display, and a memory. The memory stores hit frequencies for the digital values, and stores data indicating the digital values. The test and measurement system also includes at least one processor coupled to the display and the memory. The processor causes the display to depict the digital values and hit frequencies of the digital values by depicting persistence of the digital values over time and by depicting decay of the digital values over time.