Liquid-Controlled Delay for TDR Window Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time-domain reflectometer (TDR) systems require extensive configuration time to focus on specific points of interest along a conductor, making it inefficient for testing multiple points.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-controlled delay system is introduced, where a transmission line submerged in a temperature-controlled liquid is used to couple a TDR with a device under test (DUT). By adjusting the liquid's temperature, the delay of the signal is controlled, allowing the TDR window to be quickly shifted to multiple points of interest along the signal path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a window is used to focus on a specific point of interest in TDR testing, then measurement precision is improved, but configuration time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the liquid medium (temperature) to control the signal propagation speed through the transmission line. By heating or cooling the liquid, the refractive index and propagation velocity change, which dynamically adjusts the time-of-flight measurement and shifts the TDR window position without requiring mechanical reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (physical reconfiguration of test setup) with a thermal control system. Instead of mechanically moving components or reconfiguring cables to change the measurement window position, the system uses thermal fields to control liquid properties and thereby adjust the electrical signal propagation characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If the TDR system is configured to test multiple points of interest, then versatility is improved, but configuration time scales linearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the transmission medium properties through thermal fields. The liquid's temperature can be continuously adjusted during operation, allowing the TDR measurement window to be dynamically repositioned between multiple points of interest without static reconfiguration. This enables rapid switching between test points by simply changing the thermal state of the liquid
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-controlled delay line serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transmission medium for the TDR signal and the adjustable delay element. The same liquid medium enables testing of multiple different points along the conductor by varying its temperature, making the system universally applicable to various test points without requiring separate configurations for each point
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the time required to configure the TDR system, enabling rapid testing of multiple points of interest along a conductor, from several hours to less than a minute.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to control a temperature of the liquid to affect a delay of a signal of the TDR propagating through the transmission line
Implementation Method 2
a liquid-controlled delay includes a transmission line configured to couple at a first end to a TDR and at a second end to a device under test (DUT), a liquid, wherein the transmission line is submerged in the liquid, and a heater configured to control a temperature of the liquid to affect a delay of a signal of the TDR propagating through the transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein describe using a liquid-controlled delay to adjust a window used by a TDR. The liquid-controlled delay can be disposed between the TDR and the device under test (DUT) (e.g., cables, PCB, etc.). Controlling the temperature of the liquid in the liquid-controlled delay controls the amount of delay it provides to the TDR signal, which moves the window of the TDR forward or backward relative to time. This permits the TDR to capture finer detailed information at specific points or regions of interest in the DUT.