Modulation Analyzer Module for Pluggable Transceiver Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional testing of pluggable transceiver modules for compliance with standards is time-intensive, costly, and not scalable, especially in manufacturing environments, due to the complexity and high cost of existing test equipment.

Innovation Solution

A modular test system that directly connects to a host interface, under-samples periodic waveforms, and processes sampled data to analyze electrical behavior, supporting high-speed architectures and various modulation formats, reducing the need for complex calibration and equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional testing equipment and methods are used for pluggable transceiver modules, then measurement precision and reliability are maintained, but testing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex conventional test equipment and implements it in a simplified module. The test module contains only the necessary components (connector, sampler module, processing device) to perform modulation analysis, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining measurement precision through targeted sampling and digital signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling rate parameter to achieve efficient measurement. By using under-sampling techniques where the sampling rate is lower than the signal frequency but carefully controlled, the system reduces the amount of data to process while still extracting accurate modulation parameters, thereby reducing testing time without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional testing equipment is used for pluggable transceiver modules, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential measurement functions from complex conventional test equipment and implements them in a simplified module. The test module contains only the necessary components (connector, sampler module, processing device) to perform modulation analysis, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining measurement precision through targeted sampling and digital signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex hardware-based measurement systems with a combination of simplified analog sampling and digital signal processing. Instead of using complex analog measurement circuits, the system samples the signal and performs modulation analysis through digital processing, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional testing methods are used for pluggable transceiver modules, then reliability of compliance verification is ensured, but productivity and scalability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary signal conditioning and sampling within the test module itself, preparing the data in advance for efficient processing. The sampler module captures the essential signal characteristics and pre-processes the data before transmission to the processing device, enabling faster compliance verification while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If conventional testing equipment is used for pluggable transceiver modules, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation and scalability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the testing system into a simple plug-in test module that can be easily operated independently. The test module contains integrated functionality (connector, sampler, processing device) that operates autonomously, making the system easier to operate while maintaining measurement precision through its specialized design for modulation analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test module is designed to be self-contained and self-sufficient, with the sampler module and processing device working together autonomously to perform measurements. The module requires minimal external equipment or complex calibration procedures, making it easier to operate while maintaining measurement precision through its self-calibrating design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10419323B2Modulation analyzer module

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a connector for directly connecting the apparatus to a host when the apparatus is received at a host interface configured for receiving a pluggable transceiver, a sampler module configured for under-sampling a periodic waveform transmitted from the host, and an interface for transmitting sampled data to a processing device operable to process and analyze the sampled data for use in determining if the host is operating within specified limits.