Ion Analyzer Signal Segmentation for Mass Resolution

The patent segments the time-domain signal into multiple individual oscillation cycles and displays each cycle separately in the time-frequency analysis. This segmentation allows each harmonic component to be clearly identified and distinguished, preventing the overlapping that occurs in traditional Fourier transformation where all frequency components are mixed together. By dividing the continuous signal into discrete periodic segments, the method enables precise identification of fundamental and harmonic frequencies for accurate mass-to-charge ratio determination.

The patent replaces the complex computational machinery of Short Time Fourier Transform with a simpler visual inspection method. Instead of performing multiple Fourier transforms on segmented signals and processing the resulting spectrograms computationally, the method directly displays individual oscillation cycles in the time domain, allowing dynamics analysis through straightforward visual examination of periodic patterns. This substitution dramatically reduces computational complexity while maintaining the ability to analyze frequency dynamics.

The patent extracts and displays individual oscillation cycles separately, taking out each periodic component from the mixed frequency spectrum. By isolating individual cycles in the time domain and displaying them separately, the method extracts clear frequency information without the harmonic overlap that degrades signal-to-noise ratio in traditional Fourier transformation. This extraction approach preserves the integrity of each frequency component while enabling their individual analysis.