Oscilloscope Real-Time Circuit for Multi-Rate Differential Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test and measurement instruments require separate hardware processing circuits for different sample rates, increasing manufacturing costs due to additional hardware needs.
Innovation Solution
A test and measurement instrument with a real-time circuit comprising pairs of input channels and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that can process digitized signals with different sample rates using the same hardware components through flexible signal routing, allowing for both single and interleaved sampling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware processing circuits are used for different sample rates, then signal processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal real-time processing circuit that can handle multiple sample rates through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware circuits for each sample rate. The processing circuit is designed to be reconfigurable, allowing it to adapt to different sample rate requirements (e.g., 2.5 GS/s, 5 GS/s, 10 GS/s) by loading appropriate processing algorithms, thereby eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hardware circuits and reducing manufacturing costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hardware processing circuits are implemented for different sample rates, then processing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single universal real-time processing circuit that can be dynamically configured to handle different sample rates through software control. This approach maintains processing flexibility by allowing the same hardware to adapt to various sample rate requirements, while simultaneously reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate hardware circuits and their associated routing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuit implements dynamic reconfigurability where processing parameters and algorithms can be changed in real-time based on the sample rate of the incoming signal. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch between different processing modes (e.g., differential signal processing, single-ended signal processing) without requiring physical hardware changes, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing complexity.
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
Reduces manufacturing costs by enabling the use of the same hardware components for different sample rates, enhancing flexibility and measurement accuracy for differential signals without requiring additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
each ADC is configured to digitize one of the analog input signals so as to obtain a digitized input signal
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for measuring differential signals includes a plurality of pairs of input channels and a real-time circuit. The plurality of pairs of input channels each include two input channels configured to receive a plurality of analog input signals. The real-time circuit includes a plurality of pairs of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and a real-time processing circuit. Each of the plurality of pairs of ADCs is allocated to one of the pairs of input channels, and is configured to digitize one of the analog input signals for obtaining a digitized input signal. The real-time processing circuit has a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The real-time processing circuit is configured to process digitized signals of a single pair of ADCs in the first operational mode and is configured to process the digitized signals of two different pairs of ADCs in the second operational mode.