Frequency Domain Bitmap Signal Event Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing triggering methods in test and measurement instruments are imprecise and unable to effectively detect certain signal situations, limiting the ability to capture signal events of interest in the frequency domain.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves repeatedly sampling time-varying signals to generate digital frequency domain spectrums, updating a frequency domain bitmap, selecting portions of the bitmap, determining signal occupancy, and triggering signal capture based on occupancy determination to efficiently detect and capture signal events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing triggering methods are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and ability to detect specific signal events is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is divided into multiple frequency bins, each represented by a separate bitmap. This segmentation allows precise detection of signal events in specific frequency ranges while maintaining overall system manageability. Each bitmap tracks occupancy independently, enabling targeted analysis without requiring complex global processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to frequency domain analysis by using bitmaps that accumulate occupancy information over multiple spectrum updates. This transforms the detection problem from a single-snapshot frequency analysis to a time-integrated occupancy measurement, enabling detection of persistent signal events while filtering transient noise.
2Reliability
If comprehensive signal capture is performed without selective triggering, then no signal events are missed, but computing resources are wasted on capturing irrelevant signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis by maintaining occupancy bitmaps that pre-process frequency domain data before full signal capture is triggered. This preliminary occupancy tracking identifies potential signal events in advance, allowing the system to trigger capture only when and where relevant events occur, rather than continuously capturing all signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The occupancy bitmap serves as an intermediary data structure between raw spectrum updates and final signal capture decisions. It aggregates occupancy information across multiple spectra and provides a simplified trigger condition based on occupancy thresholds, mediating between continuous spectrum data and discrete capture events to reduce unnecessary processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional triggering methods are used, then the system is fast to operate, but the ability to specify and detect particular signal characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different occupancy thresholds and selection criteria to different frequency bins individually. Each frequency bin can have its own occupancy requirements, allowing the system to adapt to local signal characteristics in different frequency ranges while maintaining a unified triggering framework. This enables precise specification of signal events in specific frequency regions without complicating the overall operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for triggering upon signal events occurring in frequency domain signals. The method includes repeatedly sampling a time-varying signal and generating a plurality of digital frequency domain spectrums based on the samples of the time-varying signal. A frequency domain bitmap for the time-varying signal is repeatedly updated via application of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The method further includes selecting a portion of the frequency domain bitmap, determining a signal occupancy in the selected portion, and triggering a capture of the time-varying signal based on and in response to the occupancy determination for the selected portion of the bitmap.