Remote Receiver Synchronization via Low-Frequency Fiber Optic Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for phase synchronization between remote measurement instruments, such as vector network analyzers, face challenges when the distance between the transmitter and receiver is large, as phase shifts and attenuation occur, making it difficult to obtain accurate phase measurements of a device under test.
Innovation Solution
The use of a narrow band, low frequency synchronization signal transmitted over a fiber optic cable, which reduces attenuation and allows for longer transmission distances, and employs a phase-locked loop to maintain synchronization between the local oscillator and analog-to-digital clock signals, enabling accurate phase measurement across the complete test frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a synchronization signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver over a large distance, then the transmitter and receiver can be separated by a large distance, but phase information is distorted and the synchronization signal is attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fiber optic cable as an intermediary medium to transmit the synchronization signal between the transmitter and receiver. This mediator allows the signal to travel over long distances without significant attenuation or phase distortion, resolving the contradiction between large separation distance and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium from traditional electrical cables to fiber optic cables, fundamentally altering the physical parameters of signal transmission. This parameter change enables low-loss, high-precision synchronization signal transmission over extended distances, simultaneously achieving both large separation and accurate phase measurement.
2Length of stationary object
If a synchronization signal is transmitted over a large distance, then the transmitter and receiver can be separated by a large distance, but the synchronization signal is attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic cable serves as an intermediary that enables efficient energy transmission over long distances. The optical signal in the fiber optic cable experiences minimal attenuation compared to electrical signals in traditional cables, allowing the synchronization signal to maintain its strength even when the transmitter and receiver are separated by large distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system using fiber optic cables. This substitution eliminates the high attenuation problems associated with electrical cables over long distances, enabling energy-efficient signal transmission while maintaining large separation between instruments.
3Length of stationary object
If phase measurements are performed with remote transmitter and receiver, then the instruments can be separated by a large distance, but accurate phase information about the DUT is difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic cable acts as a high-fidelity intermediary for transmitting phase information. By converting electrical synchronization signals to optical signals for transmission and then back to electrical signals at the receiver, the system preserves phase information accurately over long distances, preventing information loss while enabling remote measurement configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical signal transmission path with an optical transmission path using fiber optic cables. This substitution preserves signal integrity and phase information during transmission over long distances, eliminating the information loss problems that occur with traditional electrical cable systems and enabling accurate remote phase measurements.
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
This approach allows for precise phase synchronization over extended distances without significant attenuation, enabling accurate measurement of electrical characteristics of a device under test, even when the measurement instruments are separated by large distances.
Implementation Method 1
The synchronization generator comprises a phase-locked loop that locks the phase of the LO signal to the synchronization signal
Implementation Method 2
The synchronization signal is transmitted from the measurement instrument to the receiver via a fiber optic cable
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement instrument for measuring electrical characteristics of a device under test (DUT) includes a synchronization signal generator configured to generate a synchronization signal transmittable from the measurement instrument to a receiver. The synchronization generator comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) that locks the phase of the LO signal to the synchronization signal. The A/D clock signal is generated from the synchronization signal.