Phase-Switched Measurement for High-Resolution Amplitude Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement systems for determining the phase and amplitude influence of a device under test suffer from reduced temporal resolution due to digital filtering, which introduces correlation between measurement points.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system comprising a signal generator, local oscillator, and analysis unit that alters the source phase and local oscillator phase between measurements, eliminating the need for additional filtering in the digitized signal path and allowing high temporal resolution measurements by varying the phase difference by 90° between measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a digital filter is used to remove signal components outside the base band, then signal components outside the base band are removed, but temporal resolution is reduced due to correlation between measurement points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple measurements with different phase settings before final analysis. By varying the source phase and/or local oscillator phase between measurements and combining results, the system eliminates the need for post-measurement digital filtering that would degrade temporal resolution. This preliminary phase variation approach removes harmful spectral components without introducing correlation between measurement points.
2Reliability
If digital filtering is applied to remove intermediate frequency signal components, then signal purity is improved, but correlation between neighboring measurement points is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by systematically varying the phase of the source signal and/or local oscillator between multiple measurements. This periodic phase variation creates distinct measurement conditions that, when combined, selectively eliminate intermediate frequency components without requiring digital filtering. The periodic phase changes ensure that harmful signal components appear with different characteristics in each measurement, allowing their removal through combination while preserving measurement point independence.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the source phase and local oscillator phase are kept constant, then measurement consistency is maintained, but additional filtering is required in the digitized signal path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the phase parameter of the source signal and/or local oscillator between measurements. This controlled parameter variation transforms the measurement process so that constant phase settings are replaced with varying phase settings. The phase parameter changes enable automatic rejection of intermediate frequency components through the measurement combination process, eliminating the need for additional digital filtering in the signal path and reducing device 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
Enables measurements with high temporal resolution and reduced influence of random noise and spectral components outside the base band, effectively eliminating direct current offsets and improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
The first mixer is configured to mix the measurement signal and the local oscillator signal, thereby generating a first mixer signal
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system for determining a phase and amplitude influence of a device under test, comprising a measurement instrument having a signal generator, a local oscillator, a first mixer and an analysis unit is disclosed. The signal generator is configured to generate a source signal with a predetermined source frequency and a source phase, and to forward the source signal to the device under test, wherein the source signal is altered by the device under test in at least one of amplitude and phase, such that a measurement signal is generated and forwarded to the first mixer. The local oscillator is configured to generate a local oscillator signal with a predetermined local oscillator frequency and a local oscillator phase, and to forward the local oscillator signal to the first mixer. The first mixer is configured to mix the measurement signal and the local oscillator signal, thereby generating a first mixer signal. The analysis unit is located downstream of the first mixer and is configured to analyze the first mixer signal or a processed version of the first mixer signal. The measurement instrument is configured to perform at least two measurements of the phase and amplitude influence of the device under test by analyzing the first mixer signal or the processed version of the first mixer signal, wherein at least one of the source phase and the local oscillator phase is altered between the at least two measurements.