Serial Digital Interface for Measuring Device Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices face challenges in achieving flexible interconnection between baseband and high-frequency assemblies due to high wiring and circuit complexity, limiting the number of components that can be interconnected.

Innovation Solution

The use of serial, digital intermediate-frequency or complex baseband interfaces reduces circuit complexity and prevents level errors, allowing for flexible connection of multiple baseband and high-frequency modules through a standardized connecting device, such as a crossbar distributor, which simplifies the interconnection of assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If parallel interfaces are used for interconnecting baseband and high-frequency assemblies, then signal transmission capability is maintained, but wiring and circuit complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidwiring and circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple parallel signal lines into a single serial digital interface. Instead of transmitting multiple signals simultaneously through separate parallel lines, the system combines them into a sequential digital stream, reducing the number of physical connections while maintaining signal transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/analog parallel connection system with a digital serial communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple analog signal lines and switches, using digital logic and serial transmission instead, thereby significantly reducing wiring and circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple baseband and high-frequency modules are interconnected to increase measurement capability, then measurement throughput improves, but the number of required switches and wiring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement throughputVSAvoidnumber of switches and wiring
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal serial digital interface that can connect any baseband module to any high-frequency module. This standardized interface serves multiple connection purposes, allowing flexible reconfiguration of measurement paths without requiring dedicated wiring for each module combination, thus reducing overall wiring and switch requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of measurement paths through software control of the serial digital interface. Instead of fixed physical connections requiring additional switches, the system can dynamically route signals between different modules through digital signal processing, reducing the need for physical switching hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If analog interfaces are used for intermediate frequency signal transmission, then signal compatibility is maintained, but level errors occur due to frequency response and crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal compatibilityVSAvoidlevel accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog signal transmission with digital serial transmission. By converting the intermediate frequency signal to digital form for transmission and then converting back to analog at the destination, the system eliminates frequency response variations and crosstalk that cause level errors in analog systems, while maintaining signal compatibility through standardized digital interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2137992B1Measuring device having serial digital interface
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2137992B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (1) having at least one first assembly (3, 32) and at least one second assembly (2, 4, 5). The first assembly (3, 32) and the second assembly (2, 4, 5) each comprise an intermediate frequency interface or a complex baseband interface. The intermediate frequency interfaces or baseband interfaces are designed as serial digital interfaces (8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 9.2, 40.1, 40.2, 50.1, 50.2, 52.1, 32.2).