Modular Measurement Data Recorder for Spectrum Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement and analysis products are not modular, preventing the reuse of software modules across different devices and environments, such as spectrum analyzers and network analyzers, which limits the flexibility and compatibility of measurement data processing.
Innovation Solution
A modular application environment is created with a digital measurement data recorder and two types of modules: a measurement unit module for processing raw data and an application unit module for user interface processing, allowing for flexible data processing schemes and on-demand activation, with the ability to operate on both local devices and cloud environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If measurement and analysis products use distinct non-modular architectures, then each product can perform application-specific analysis, but software modules cannot be reused across different devices even when hardware capabilities are sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement and analysis functionality into separate modular components: a measurement unit module that captures and processes raw digital data, and an application unit module that performs analysis. These modules can be independently deployed on different devices, enabling software reuse across spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and cloud environments without requiring monolithic product architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement unit module is designed with universal functionality to operate across multiple device types and environments. It can capture raw digital data from various sources (spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, cloud) and process it according to different measurement types, making the same software module adaptable to diverse hardware platforms without requiring device-specific implementations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed measurements are used to perform different analysis on measurement data, then measurement flexibility is improved, but system integration and data processing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the measurement unit module and application unit module into an integrated modular architecture where both can operate on the same device or be closely coupled. This allows raw digital data to be captured and processed in close proximity, reducing data transfer overhead and improving processing efficiency compared to fully distributed measurements, while maintaining flexibility through modular deployment options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If analysis-specific modules are installed on measurement devices, then application-specific analysis capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the application-specific analysis functionality into a separate application unit module that can be independently installed or configured. This allows the measurement device to maintain a lean core functionality while enabling specific analysis capabilities on-demand through the application unit module, reducing the permanent software footprint and device complexity while preserving analysis versatility.
4Measurement precision
If measurement components are dedicated to specific measurement types, then measurement precision is improved, but component reusability and system adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement unit module implements dynamic configuration capabilities that allow it to adapt its processing parameters and methods based on the type of measurement being performed. This enables the same physical hardware and software module to maintain high measurement precision for different measurement types (spectrum analysis, network analysis, etc.) by dynamically adjusting its operation rather than requiring dedicated fixed-purpose components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for performing measurements in a modular application environment. The system comprises a digital measurement data recorder adapted to create raw digital data with respect to a measurement. The system further comprises at least two modular applications, adapted to perform at least two different data processing schemes, where one comprises a measurement unit module and the other comprises an application unit module. In this context, the measurement unit module is adapted to capture or process the raw digital data from the digital measurement data recorder. Moreover, the application unit module is adapted to process raw digital data and/or measurement results from the digital measurement data recorder into a user interface.