Multi-Oscilloscope Synchronization With Single-Trigger Jitter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for synchronizing multiple oscilloscopes result in significant trigger jitter and require multiple probes, leading to increased loading and operational challenges, especially when accessing trigger signals through probes.
Innovation Solution
A system where a host oscilloscope synchronizes multiple client oscilloscopes using a single instance of a trigger event, eliminating trigger jitter and allowing each oscilloscope to act as a single unit by using a host timebase clock and digitizer synchronization clocks, with a logical OR function to initiate triggers without knowing which oscilloscope will initiate the event.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trigger signal is fanned out to all oscilloscopes, then synchronization is achieved, but trigger jitter accumulates to 1-2ps rms
Solution Approach 1:
A master oscilloscope acts as an intermediary that generates a single trigger event and distributes it to client oscilloscopes. This intermediary approach ensures all oscilloscopes synchronize to the same trigger source, eliminating the accumulation of individual trigger jitters that occurs when multiple independent trigger sources are used.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple oscilloscopes are merged into a coordinated system where one master oscilloscope generates the trigger and all clients share this single trigger source. This merging of trigger generation into a single source prevents the summation of jitters from multiple independent sources, maintaining synchronization accuracy while reducing overall trigger jitter.
2Ease of operation
If separate probes are used for each oscilloscope to access trigger signal, then each oscilloscope can capture the trigger, but additional probe loading slows down the trigger signal and causes more jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the trigger signal distribution by having the master oscilloscope generate the trigger internally and distribute it electronically to clients through the system interconnect. This segmentation eliminates the need for external probes on the trigger signal path, reducing loading effects and maintaining signal integrity while still providing accessible trigger information to all oscilloscopes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple oscilloscopes operate independently with own trigger sources, then each can operate autonomously, but synchronization jitter accumulates between oscilloscopes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic role assignment where any oscilloscope can function as master or client depending on configuration. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to adapt to different operational scenarios while maintaining the single-trigger-source architecture, preserving both independent operation capability and synchronization precision through the master-client relationship.
Data Source
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AI summary
A test and measurement system for synchronizing multiple oscilloscopes including a host oscilloscope and at least one client oscilloscope. The host oscilloscope includes a host timebase clock configured to output a clock signal, a host digitizer including a digitizer synchronization clock based on the clock signal, and a host acquisition controller includes a trigger synchronization clock based the clock signal and outputs a run signal to begin an acquisition of an input signal. Each client oscilloscope includes a client timebase clock configured to receive the clock signal from the host timebase clock and output the clock signal, a client digitizer including a digitizer synchronization clock based on the clock signal, and a client acquisition controller includes a trigger synchronization clock based on the clock signal and receives the run signal from the host acquisition controller and begins an acquisition of another input signal based on the run signal.