Oscilloscope Multi-Carrier Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oscilloscopes struggle with real-time analysis of RF signals having multiple carriers, as they typically require post-processing to extract information from the carriers.
Innovation Solution
The oscilloscope employs a switching matrix, local oscillator, and down-converter modules to extract and analyze signal components associated with different carriers in real-time, before saving data in an acquisition memory or forwarding it to a trigger module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional post-processing methods are used to extract carrier information, then the oscilloscope can handle signals with larger bandwidth, but real-time analysis of multiple carriers becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing task by separating different carrier components into distinct processing paths. The switching matrix routes different carrier components to different down-converter modules, allowing parallel processing of multiple carriers simultaneously. This segmentation enables real-time analysis while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs down-conversion of carrier components before they are stored in acquisition memory or forwarded to trigger modules. This preliminary action of extracting and processing signal components in real-time during acquisition, rather than after, enables real-time analysis capability while maintaining the ability to handle larger bandwidth signals.
2Speed
If multiple carrier components are processed simultaneously in real-time, then analysis speed improves, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary carrier components through the switching matrix and down-converter modules before storage. By selectively routing and processing specific carrier components rather than storing all raw data, the system reduces memory requirements while maintaining real-time processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The down-conversion and extraction of carrier components is performed preliminarily during the acquisition process before data is saved to memory. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored, as only the processed carrier information is retained rather than all raw signal data, thus reducing memory capacity requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables real-time analysis of input signals with multiple carriers, allowing individual signal components to be analyzed simultaneously, while reducing the memory size required for saved data through down-sampling.
Implementation Method 1
a switching matrix module (14) configured to forward the input signal from a switching matrix input to at least two switching matrix outputs
Implementation Method 2
a local oscillator (32) configured to generate a local oscillator signal such that the local oscillator signal has a predetermined frequency
Implementation Method 3
down-converting a first signal component of the signal that is associated with a first one of the least two carriers based on the local oscillator signal
Implementation Method 4
The term 'down-convert' is understood to denote a conversion of the respective signal from a higher frequency to a lower frequency based on the local oscillator signal
Implementation Method 5
reducing the memory size required for saved data through down-sampling
Data Source
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AI summary
An oscilloscope (10) is described. The oscilloscope (10) comprises a signal input module (12), a switching matrix module (14), and a downconverter module (16). The signal input module (12) is configured to receive M input signals, wherein at least one of the input signals is a signal comprising at least two carriers. The switching matrix module (14) comprises M switching matrix inputs (28) and K switching matrix outputs (30). The switching matrix module (14) is configured to selectively forward at least one input signal from at least one of the switching matrix inputs (28) to the switching matrix outputs (30). The downconverter module (16) comprises a local oscillator (32) and at least two downconverter sub-modules (34). The local oscillator (32) is configured to generate a local oscillator signal. A first one of the at least two downconverter sub-modules (34) is configured to down-convert a first signal component of the signal that is associated with a first one of the least two carriers based on the local oscillator signal. A second one of the at least two downconverter sub-modules (34) is configured to down-convert a second signal component of the signal that is associated with a second one of the least two carriers based on the local oscillator signal. Further, a signal analysis method for analyzing an input signal by means of an oscilloscope (10) is described.