Encoding High Frequency Signal Amplitude as Image Point Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measurement devices struggle to effectively display high frequency signals with more than two parameters on two-dimensional screens, as they cannot simultaneously output multi-dimensional measurement tuples.

Innovation Solution

A measurement apparatus comprising a detection unit and a coding unit that encodes high frequency signal amplitudes as image point densities, allowing for the display of measurement tuples on a high resolution screen with adjustable pixel density, enabling the visualization of three-dimensional data on a two-dimensional display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If measurement devices use conventional two-dimensional display units to output measured results, then the display structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot effectively display high frequency signals with more than two parameters simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay capability for multi-dimensional dataVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by encoding multi-dimensional measurement data (amplitude, frequency, time) into a two-dimensional visual representation using image point density. The coding unit transforms 3D or 4D measurement tuples into 2D visual patterns where the density of pixels represents additional dimensions, allowing complex multi-parameter data to be displayed on conventional 2D screens without requiring advanced display hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter representation by encoding signal amplitude into image point density rather than using traditional intensity or color scaling. This parameter transformation allows the display to represent multiple parameters (amplitude, frequency, time) simultaneously by varying the density of displayed pixels in different regions, thereby increasing display versatility while maintaining simple hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the measurement apparatus encodes high frequency signal amplitude as image point density with adjustable pixel density, then the visualization of complex signal data is enhanced, but the processing complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation representation completenessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement data processing by dividing the display area into multiple regions, each representing different parameter ranges. The coding unit processes measurement tuples by segmenting them into discrete visual elements (pixels or image points) whose density varies according to the encoded parameters. This segmentation approach allows complex multi-dimensional data to be represented through simple density variations rather than requiring complex processing of continuous data streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional measurement devices display only two parameters simultaneously on a two-dimensional screen, then the display operation remains simple, but the ability to analyze multi-dimensional signal data is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay operation simplicityVSAvoidmulti-parameter data representation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coding unit that acts as a mediator between the multi-dimensional measurement data and the two-dimensional display. This coding unit transforms complex measurement tuples into visual patterns using image point density as an intermediate representation. The intermediary layer allows the simple 2D display to convey complex multi-parameter information by encoding additional dimensions into the density distribution of displayed pixels, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while preserving information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3187884B1A method and apparatus for processing measurement tuples
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3187884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3187884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3187884B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A measurement apparatus comprising a detection unit configured to provide measurement tuples, each measurement tuple (T) including a high frequency signal amplitude (a) of a high frequency signal (S); and a coding unit configured to encode the high frequency signal amplitude (a) of each provided measurement tuple.