Master-Slave Oscilloscope Trigger Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital storage oscilloscopes face challenges in accurately synchronizing trigger signals across multiple channels, leading to timing errors and reduced precision in measuring multiple input analog signals.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves interconnecting multiple digital storage oscilloscopes to share a common clock signal and synchronous trigger signal, allowing them to operate in a master-slave configuration, where either device can act as the master or slave, reducing timing errors and increasing channel count by synchronizing the trigger timing across all channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple digital storage oscilloscopes are connected to measure more than two signals, then the channel count increases, but timing errors increase due to asynchronous trigger signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master oscilloscope as an intermediary that generates a reference trigger signal, which is then distributed to all slave oscilloscopes. This intermediary master device coordinates the trigger timing across all connected oscilloscopes, eliminating the timing errors that would otherwise occur when multiple independent oscilloscopes attempt to synchronize autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a common reference potential for trigger timing by having all slave oscilloscopes synchronize to the master's trigger signal and clock signal. This equipotential approach ensures that all channels across all oscilloscopes operate from the same timing reference, eliminating timing drift and synchronization errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital storage oscilloscopes use internal trigger signals for each channel, then each channel can be triggered independently, but timing synchronization between channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the triggering function between a master oscilloscope that generates the reference trigger signal and slave oscilloscopes that receive and synchronize to that signal. This segmentation allows each slave to maintain independent channel capability while simultaneously achieving precise synchronization through the master's coordinated trigger distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having slave oscilloscopes use the master's trigger signal and clock signal to synchronize their operation. The slaves continuously reference the master's timing signals, creating a feedback loop that maintains precise synchronization across all channels while preserving independent triggering capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first oscilloscope having multiple channels, and a second oscilloscope having multiple channels. The first oscilloscope is configured to operate as a master or as a slave. The first oscilloscope operates as the master by using a first trigger signal and a first clock signal that are native to the first oscilloscope, and the first oscilloscope operates as the slave by using a second trigger signal and a second clock signal that are native to the second oscilloscope. The second oscilloscope is configured to operate as the master or as the slave. The second oscilloscope operates as the master by using the second trigger signal and the second clock signal, and the second oscilloscope operates as the slave by using the first trigger signal and the first clock signal.