Remote Instrument Interface with Display for Connection Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In test and measurement environments where the instrument and device under test are separated by a significant distance, making and troubleshooting cable connections is challenging due to the inability to see the instrument's labels, and changing connections during measurements is difficult and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A connection interface with a display that visually associates specific connection points on a device under test with corresponding connectors, allowing users to make connections based on displayed identifiers and measurement data, and includes a control circuit for communicating with the host instrument to modify displayed information and manage connection changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the instrument is located far from the DUT using long cables, then the instrument can be placed in a suitable operating environment, but the user cannot see the instrument's labels and connection points
Solution Approach 1:
A connection interface unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the host instrument and the DUT. This unit includes a display that shows connection point identifiers and measurement data, allowing the user to see connection information without needing to view the remote host instrument's labels. The intermediary resolves the information loss caused by physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection information is transferred from the spatial dimension (physical labels on the instrument) to the visual dimension (display screen showing connection identifiers). This allows the user to access connection information through a different sensory modality that is not constrained by physical proximity to the instrument.
2Length of moving object
If the instrument is located far from the DUT, then physical space constraints are resolved, but making and troubleshooting cable connections becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface unit serves as a mediator that provides visual feedback about connection status and identifies connection points. The display shows which DUT connection points are connected to which host instrument connectors, enabling the user to make and troubleshoot connections without physically accessing the remote instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying connection status and measurement data at the connection interface unit. This feedback loop allows the user to verify connections and identify issues without needing to physically inspect the remote instrument, significantly improving ease of operation at distance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cable connections need to be changed during measurement, then measurement flexibility is improved, but the process becomes difficult and error-prone without physical access to the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The display provides real-time feedback about current connection status and measurement data. When connections need to be changed, the user can see which connections are active and what measurements are being taken, allowing for accurate reconfiguration without physically accessing the remote instrument. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability during adaptive reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays connection information and measurement data in advance, allowing the user to plan connection changes before making them. The user can see the current configuration and prepare the appropriate cable changes, reducing errors during the reconfiguration process.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection interface for connecting one or more devices under test (DUTs) to one or more remote test and measurement instruments includes a device-under-test connector for connecting a DUT to the interface, a host-instrument connector for connecting the interface to a host test and measurement instrument, and an electrical path between the device-under-test connector and the host-instrument connector. The connection interface also includes a display that has a first portion visually associated with the device-under-test connector and configured to display an identifier for a particular connection point on the DUT. In some embodiments, the first portion of the display is configured to display measurement data from the particular connection point on the DUT. In some embodiments, the display has a second portion that is configured to display information related to the host test and measurement instrument, or to display a name for a particular measurement of the DUT.