RF Measurement Receiver Sharing via Merged Reference Signal Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of an additional wideband measurement receiver for receiving a reference signal significantly increases the manufacturing costs of test and/or measurement systems.
Innovation Solution
A test and/or measurement system that merges a modulated RF signal and a measurement signal into a single analysis signal path, allowing a single measurement receiver to suffice, thereby reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for a separate reference signal receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an additional wideband measurement receiver is used to receive the reference signal, then the measurement capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference signal path and measurement signal path into a single analysis signal path. The reference signal from the first signal path and the measurement signal from the second signal path are combined in the analysis signal path, allowing a single measurement receiver to process both signals instead of requiring separate receivers for each signal type.
Solution Approach 2:
The single measurement receiver is designed to handle multiple functions: it receives both the reference signal and the measurement signal through the merged analysis signal path. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated separate receivers, reducing system complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full measurement capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single measurement receiver is used to receive both reference signal and measurement signal, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the signal separation and analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal analysis module segments the merged analysis signal into its constituent components: the reference signal and the measurement signal. By separating these signals in the analysis stage, the system maintains the simplicity of using a single receiver while enabling detailed analysis of each signal component through structured segmentation of the combined signal stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis signal path acts as an intermediary that carries both the reference signal and measurement signal to the measurement receiver. This intermediate merged signal allows the receiver to process both signals simultaneously, and the signal analysis module then uses this intermediary structure to separate and analyze the individual signal components without requiring separate receivers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A test and/or measurement system (10) is described. The test and/or measurement system (10) comprises a signal generator module (16) a signal analysis module (38), an output signal path (20), a first signal path (22), a second signal path (24), and an analysis signal path (32). The signal generator module (16) is configured to generate a modulated radio frequency, RF, signal based on a predefined waveform. The output signal path (20) is connected to the signal generator module and is connectable to a device under test. The first signal path (22) is connected to the signal generator module (16) so as to receive a reference signal corresponding to the modulated RF signal. The second signal path (24) is connectable to the device under test (12) so as to receive a measurement signal from the device under test (12), wherein the measurement signal corresponds to the modulated RF signal. The analysis signal path (32) is connected to both the first signal path (22) and the second signal path (24), such that the reference signal and the measurement signal are merged into the analysis signal path (32), thereby obtaining an analysis signal. The signal analysis module (38) is configured to analyze the analysis signal, thereby obtaining analysis data. The analysis module (38) further is configured to separate the reference signal from the measurement signal for analyzing the analysis signal based on the predefined waveform.