RTSA Signal Storage Using Circular Buffers and Segmented BIN Files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectrum analyzers with real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA) are limited by storage capacity, requiring measurements to be paused or stopped for data transfer, and use inefficient CSV text files, leading to bottlenecks in data offloading and limiting continuous data capture.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with a circular buffer and binary file storage (BIN) format that allows continuous, gap-free storage and transfer of frequency slices, using an analog to digital converter, detector unit, circular buffer, and storage unit to manage data flow efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional spectrum analyzers use CSV text file format for data storage, then data can be stored in a standardized format, but data offload transfer rates are slow and storage efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandardized data formatVSAvoiddata offload transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the data format parameter from CSV text to binary format. This parameter change dramatically improves storage efficiency and data transfer rates while maintaining standardized access methods through SCPI commands. The binary format reduces file size and enables faster read/write operations compared to text-based CSV files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional spectrum analyzers limit storage to 250,000 frequency slices, then storage memory requirements are manageable, but continuous data capture is interrupted and measurement throughput is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmeasurement throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large storage capacity into manageable units by implementing circular buffers of 250,000 frequency slices each. Multiple buffers can be chained together, allowing the system to store millions of frequency slices while maintaining efficient memory management. This segmentation enables continuous data capture without interruption while keeping individual buffer sizes manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous data capture by allowing measurements to proceed without pause even when storage buffers are full. The system automatically manages buffer overflow conditions and continues acquiring data, eliminating the need to stop measurements for data transfer and achieving uninterrupted real-time spectrum analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of information

If conventional spectrum analyzers require pausing measurements for data transfer, then data can be written to local drive, but real-time continuous monitoring is interrupted and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidmeasurement pause time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-allocating multiple circular buffers and setting up automated data management routines before measurements begin. The system is prepared to handle continuous data flow and automatic buffer management, eliminating the need for manual intervention or measurement pausing during data transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the spectrum analyzer to automatically manage its own data storage and transfer operations. The instrument can autonomously handle buffer management, data formatting, and transfer to external devices without requiring the user to pause measurements or manually intervene, thus maintaining continuous real-time monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 continuous, uninterrupted data capture and transfer of up to two million frequency slices, improving data offload transfer rates and storage efficiency, allowing real-time processing and display of measurement signals.

Implementation Method 1

an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to sample a measurement signal acquired from a device under test (DUT) during a measurement by the spectrum analyzer, and to output sampled digital data in a data stream in time domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog to digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20250370007A1System and method of storing and displaying measurement signals in real time

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A system for storing and displaying measurement signals of a spectrum analyzer with RTSA includes a circular buffer having a predetermined buffer length for buffering spectrum digital data in a predetermined order via a first interface, and outputting the buffered digital data in the predetermined order; a storage unit for receiving the buffered digital data output from the circular buffer in real time via a second interface, where the storage unit includes segmented BIN files for storing portions of the received digital data in binary format, where each segmented BIN file is separately retrievable for display during the RTSA measurement; and a controller for allowing the circular buffer to continue buffering the spectrum digital data or stop buffering the spectrum digital data based on whether the buffered digital data are output from the circular buffer faster than the spectrum digital data are written in the circular buffer.