Multi-Input Trigger Circuit for Event Activity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional logic trigger circuits in test and measurement instruments, such as oscilloscopes, are limited in recognizing input signal transitions and cannot generate triggers when any of the inputs transition to logic HI, regardless of the state of other inputs, which is unsatisfactory for users requiring more flexible triggering capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and trigger circuit configuration that generates a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of specified trigger events, including rising or falling edges, setup and hold violations, signal level windows, pulse widths, and other detectable events, across multiple inputs, enabling flexible and configurable triggering behavior by using event activity detectors and logical OR circuits to combine trigger signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional logic OR trigger mode is used, then the trigger circuit follows Boolean logic correctly, but it cannot recognize all types of input signal transitions that users need
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger circuit is divided into multiple independent event activity detectors, each configured to detect specific types of signal transitions (rising edges, falling edges, pulse widths, setup and hold violations, window violations). Each detector operates independently and generates trigger signals for its detected events, allowing the system to handle diverse triggering requirements without requiring a single complex logic circuit.
2Reliability
If the trigger circuit uses conventional Boolean logic OR mode, then it operates correctly according to logic principles, but it limits the types of trigger events that can be detected
Solution Approach 1:
Each event activity detector is designed to be multi-functional, capable of detecting multiple types of trigger events (edges, pulse widths, setup and hold violations, window violations) within a single detector unit. This universal detection capability across multiple detector types enables the trigger circuit to recognize all types of input signal transitions while maintaining reliable detection through dedicated detector configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of triggering a test and measurement instrument having a plurality of inputs include the step of generating a trigger signal in response to every occurrence of any one of a plurality of specified trigger events. A first specified trigger event occurs in at least a first one of the inputs and a second specified trigger event occurs in at least a second one of the plurality of inputs. A specified trigger event may include at least one selected input from the plurality of inputs and a selected activity type. Some methods include configuring each of a plurality of event activity detectors to produce a pulse in a logic signal in response to every occurrence of one of the specified trigger events. The plurality of logic signals are combined in a logical OR circuit to generate the trigger signal. Trigger circuits configured according to these methods are also disclosed.