Frequency Mask Trigger for Multi-Signal Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frequency mask triggers cannot detect error conditions that require the simultaneous presence of multiple signals at specific frequencies, as they generate a trigger signal whenever any point of the frequency mask is violated, lacking the capability to trigger based on logical combinations of multiple mask areas.
Innovation Solution
A frequency mask trigger system that transforms digital input signals into a frequency spectrum, defines multiple mask areas with reference power levels, determines violation statuses, and generates a trigger signal based on user-specified logical combinations of these statuses, allowing for complex logical operations such as AND, OR, XOR, and others across multiple mask areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional frequency mask trigger generates a trigger signal whenever any point of the frequency mask is violated, then the trigger response is simple and fast, but the capability to detect error conditions requiring simultaneous presence of multiple signals is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency mask is divided into multiple independently configurable areas, each capable of being violated independently. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate different frequency regions separately and combine their violation statuses using logical operations, enabling detection of complex error conditions while maintaining simple trigger response for each individual area.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger system dynamically evaluates the violation status of each mask area and applies user-configurable logical combinations (AND, OR, XOR, etc.) to determine whether to generate a trigger signal. This dynamic logical evaluation enables the system to adapt to different error detection requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized logical operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a frequency mask trigger is enhanced to trigger only when multiple mask areas are violated simultaneously, then the capability to detect complex error conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frequency mask into multiple independent areas with individual violation status flags, the system manages complexity through modular design. Each area can be evaluated independently, and the logical combination logic operates on standardized status indicators rather than raw frequency data, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask area violation evaluation and logical combination mechanism serves multiple functions: it can detect single-signal presence, simultaneous multi-signal presence, absence of signals, and various other error conditions by simply changing the logical combination configuration. This universal approach avoids the need for separate detection circuits for each error type.
3Measurement precision
If multiple mask areas are defined with logical combination requirements, then the precision of error condition detection is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and maintains violation status for each mask area as frequency data becomes available, rather than waiting to evaluate all areas simultaneously. This preliminary evaluation of individual area violations allows the logical combination logic to operate on ready-made status indicators, reducing processing time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the evaluation process into independent area-level violation detection followed by logical combination evaluation allows parallel processing of individual areas. Each area can be assessed independently and simultaneously, with the logical combination step operating on the aggregated status information, thereby maintaining precision while minimizing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A frequency mask trigger capable of triggering based on a logical combination of two or more areas of a frequency mask transforms a frame of digital data representing an input signal into a frequency spectrum having a plurality of frequency bins, with each frequency bin having a power amplitude value. A frequency mask is defined having a plurality of reference power levels, one reference power level being associated with each frequency bin. Two or more areas of the frequency mask are defined, with each mask area corresponding to one or more of the frequency bins. A violation status is determined for each mask area by comparing all of the power amplitude values within each mask area to the associated reference power level. If any of the power amplitude values within the mask area violates the associated reference power level, then the entire mask area is deemed to be violated. A trigger signal is generated when a logical combination of the violation statuses of the mask areas is satisfied.