Protocol-Aware Oscilloscope Sideband Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test and measurement instruments, such as oscilloscopes, face limitations in error detection when dealing with protocols that have sideband signals, as they often rely on a single channel input and fail to accurately measure Bit Error Ratio (BER) during events like cross-talk or large power draws, and do not allow for discrete clock usage.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves utilizing sideband signals to qualify and control the sequence or bit rate for error detection, allowing for the use of a discrete clock and enabling BER measurement during specific events by incorporating a pattern qualification logic block that uses auxiliary channels to adjust parameters such as bit rate, pattern, and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single channel input is used for error detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because sideband signals cannot be properly accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bus signal into multiple separate channels: a main data channel and auxiliary sideband channels. Each channel is processed independently through dedicated pattern qualification logic blocks, allowing sideband signals to be analyzed separately and used to qualify error detection on the main channel, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The pattern qualification logic block serves multiple functions: it processes the main data channel for error detection, processes auxiliary sideband channels for qualification signals, and uses the combined information to adjust error detection parameters. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive error detection using sideband signals while avoiding the need for entirely separate processing systems
2Device complexity
If a clock extracted from data is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because BER cannot be measured during specific events like cross-talk or large power draws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary qualification mechanism where sideband signals act as mediators that qualify when error detection should occur. The pattern qualification logic block uses these intermediary signals to gate the error detection process, enabling precise BER measurement during specific events without requiring complex clock extraction and synchronization systems
3Measurement precision
If sideband signals are used to qualify and control error detection, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional channels and pattern qualification logic
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern qualification logic block performs preliminary processing of sideband signals to extract qualification information before the main error detection process. By pre-processing and qualifying the sideband signals in advance, the system enables accurate error detection during relevant events without requiring continuous complex processing of all signals throughout the entire detection sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement device includes an input port for receiving a bus conducting data from a device under test, and processing element coupled to the input port. The processing element is configured to execute instructions that cause the processing element to determine a data sequence from a signal of the bus received on a main channel of the device, and use information from at least one other signal of the bus on an auxiliary channel of the device based upon a protocol associated with the bus to adjust parameters for performing error detection on the data sequence. A method of performing error detection in a test instrument includes receiving, at an input port of the test instrument, a bus conducting a data sequence from a device under test, determining the data sequence from a signal of the bus received on a main channel of the test instrument, and using information from at least one other signal of the bus received on an auxiliary channel of the test instrument to perform error detection on the data sequence.