Oscilloscope Spectrum Time Indicator for Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern digital oscilloscopes lack the capability to simultaneously display time domain and frequency domain waveforms and effectively illustrate their relationship, hindering the analysis of input signals.
Innovation Solution
A test and measurement instrument with a display featuring both time domain and frequency domain graticules, where a processor generates and correlates waveforms, and includes intuitive pan and zoom controls to align and magnify the spectrum time indicator, allowing users to visualize the relationship between time and frequency domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a digital oscilloscope displays only time domain waveforms, then the device complexity is low and operation is simple, but the capability to analyze frequency domain characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines time domain and frequency domain displays into a single unified display interface. The spectrum time indicator merges time domain positioning with frequency domain waveform identification, allowing users to simultaneously view both domains and their relationships without requiring separate instruments or complex multi-display configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrum time indicator serves multiple functions: it indicates time domain positioning, identifies frequency domain waveforms, and enables correlation between domains. This multi-functional element eliminates the need for separate specialized displays for time and frequency analysis, enhancing versatility while managing complexity.
2Loss of information
If separate time domain and frequency domain displays are used, then each domain can be analyzed in detail, but the relationship between the two domains cannot be effectively illustrated
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrum time indicator acts as an intermediary element that bridges the time domain and frequency domain displays. It visually correlates the two domains by indicating which time period corresponds to which frequency domain waveform, preventing loss of relationship information while maintaining a manageable display configuration.
3Measurement precision
If the spectrum time indicator is made detailed and precise, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrum time indicator is designed to be dynamic and adaptable to user interactions. When pan or zoom operations are performed on the time domain waveform, the spectrum time indicator automatically updates to maintain accurate correlation. This dynamic behavior preserves measurement precision while easing operation, as users don't need to manually reposition or reconfigure the indicator.
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement instrument and method are disclosed. The test and measurement instrument includes a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule. A processor is configured to sample an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.