Oscilloscope Dynamic Auto-Trigger Stabilizes Low-Frequency Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscilloscopes struggle to obtain a static image of low-frequency signals while maintaining an operative auto-trigger function, leading to unstable images due to frequent renewal of the image caused by the auto-trigger time exceeding the predefined auto-trigger time.
Innovation Solution
An oscilloscope acquisition system with a dynamic auto-trigger time unit that adapts the auto-trigger time based on the frequency of the input signal, ensuring a static image is maintained by setting the auto-trigger time to be the inverse of the signal frequency or longer, thereby stabilizing the image acquisition process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a predefined auto-trigger time is used, then the trigger unit can automatically renew the image, but the image becomes unstable when the signal frequency is low because the auto-trigger time exceeds the time between trigger conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the auto-trigger time dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors the signal frequency and automatically adjusts the auto-trigger time parameter to match the current signal conditions. This allows the trigger unit to adapt to varying signal frequencies, maintaining image stability while preserving the automatic triggering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where the actual signal frequency is measured and used to adjust the auto-trigger time. The frequency measurement unit continuously monitors the input signal, and this information feeds back to the trigger unit to optimize the auto-trigger time parameter, ensuring the system responds appropriately to changing signal conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the auto-trigger time is extended to capture low-frequency signals, then image stability improves, but the trigger renewal delay increases for higher frequency signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the auto-trigger time based on the detected signal frequency. When low-frequency signals are detected, the auto-trigger time is extended to maintain image stability. When higher-frequency signals are present, the auto-trigger time is reduced to minimize trigger renewal delay. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for a fixed, conservative timeout value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the auto-trigger time parameter according to the signal frequency characteristics. By monitoring frequency variations and adjusting the timeout parameter accordingly, the system optimizes both image stability and trigger response time for different operating conditions, rather than using a single fixed parameter value.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual mode is used to obtain static images of low-frequency signals, then image stability is achieved, but the automation level decreases and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting signal frequency and adjusting the auto-trigger time without requiring user intervention. The frequency measurement unit and control logic work together to autonomously optimize the triggering parameters, enabling the oscilloscope to handle low-frequency signals automatically while maintaining image stability, thus eliminating the need for manual mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system uses feedback from frequency measurements to automatically adjust triggering parameters. This closed-loop control enables the system to maintain image stability for low-frequency signals while remaining in automatic mode, removing the need for user intervention that would otherwise be required to manually configure appropriate trigger settings.
Data Source
AI summary
An oscilloscope acquisition system comprises a trigger unit that is configured to receive an input signal and to generate an output signal, a frequency determination unit that is configured to receive the output signal and to determine the frequency of the output signal, and a time determination unit that is configured to determine a dynamic auto-trigger time value, wherein the time determination unit is configured to derive the dynamic auto-trigger time from the frequency of the output signal.