Integrated Oscilloscope Waveform Generator Internal Trigger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscilloscopes and waveform generators require external cables and signal splitters for triggering, which reduce signal amplitude and limit the number of measurement inputs, resulting in lower quality signals and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a waveform generator within a common housing with the oscilloscope to provide both stimulus and trigger signals internally, eliminating the need for external cables and signal splitters, and using a switch to selectively provide trigger signals for oscilloscope triggering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external cables and signal splitters are used to connect waveform generator to oscilloscope, then triggering function is achieved, but signal amplitude is reduced by up to 6 dB
Solution Approach 1:
The waveform generator and oscilloscope are merged into a single integrated instrument with a common housing. The waveform generator's trigger output is internally connected to the oscilloscope's trigger input, eliminating the need for external cables and signal splitters. This internal integration preserves the full signal amplitude while maintaining the triggering function.
Solution Approach 2:
An internal switch is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveform generator and oscilloscope. This switch selectively connects the trigger signal internally without requiring external signal splitting, thereby maintaining signal integrity and amplitude while enabling trigger functionality.
2Reliability
If one oscilloscope input is used for trigger reception, then triggering is enabled, but the number of available measurement inputs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the waveform generator and oscilloscope into one instrument, the trigger signal path is internalized. This allows all external oscilloscope inputs to remain available for measurement purposes, as the trigger connection no longer requires an external input channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design enables the waveform generator to serve multiple functions: providing both the stimulus signal to the DUT and the trigger signal to the oscilloscope simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the trade-off between trigger capability and measurement input availability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, includes an oscilloscope and a waveform generator. The waveform generator is integrated in a common housing with the oscilloscope, and configured to provide a stimulus signal as an output of the apparatus and to provide a trigger signal that is connected internally to the oscilloscope for triggering the oscilloscope.