RF Measurement Instrument With Out-of-Band Trigger Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement instruments struggle with undetected out-of-band emissions in SEM measurements due to power triggers not aligning with bandwidths, necessitating complex setups and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A measurement instrument with separate measurement and trigger paths, allowing independent setting of measurement and trigger frequencies and bandwidths, enabling power triggers outside the measurement bandwidth for accurate SEM measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single measurement path with power trigger is used, then the measurement setup is simple, but the power trigger cannot trigger at the start of SEM measurement since it is not associated with a bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single measurement path into two separate paths: a measurement path for performing SEM measurements and a trigger path for detecting trigger signals. This segmentation allows the trigger path to operate independently with its own bandwidth settings, enabling reliable triggering at the start of measurement without interfering with the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger path acts as an intermediary component that detects trigger signals in a first bandwidth and converts this information into measurement commands for the measurement path. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to trigger measurements based on external signals without requiring the power trigger to be directly associated with the measurement bandwidth.
2Reliability
If complex measurement setups are used to enable proper triggering, then the trigger timing is accurate, but the setup complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the measurement system into separate measurement and trigger paths, the patent achieves accurate trigger timing without requiring complex integrated setups. The trigger path can be independently configured with appropriate bandwidth settings, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable triggering capability.
3Measurement precision
If the power trigger bandwidth is limited to match the measurement bandwidth, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the frequency range for triggering is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency handling into two independent paths with different bandwidth characteristics. The trigger path can operate in a first bandwidth that is different from the measurement path's second bandwidth, allowing the system to trigger on signals across an extended frequency range while maintaining measurement precision in the designated measurement bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables independent configuration of bandwidth parameters for the trigger path and measurement path. This parameter change flexibility allows the trigger frequency and bandwidth to be optimized for triggering purposes while the measurement bandwidth remains optimized for SEM measurement accuracy, thereby extending the overall frequency range without compromising measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a measurement instrument for measuring radio frequency signals. The measurement instrument is configured for analyzing a radio frequency signal received. The measurement instrument includes a measurement path configured for analyzing the radio frequency signal at a measurement frequency in a measurement bandwidth. The measurement instrument further includes a trigger path configured for signal detection at a trigger frequency in a trigger bandwidth. The trigger path is configured to trigger on the measurement path in the trigger bandwidth that is outside of the measurement bandwidth of the measurement path. Further, a measurement method is described.