Test and Measurement Instrument Spectrogram Cursor Time Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of test and measurement instruments face confusion and frustration due to the complexity of generating and modifying spectrograms, as existing instruments lack intuitive controls for creating specific spectrograms of particular waveform portions, often requiring sophisticated manual setups.
Innovation Solution
The development of a user interface that allows users to control the size and resolution of spectrograms by manipulating the display window, automatically adjusting the spectrogram to fill the window and providing tools for creating spectrograms from specific portions of the input waveform, with features like zoom windows and user-controllable cursors for intuitive selection and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users manually configure spectrogram parameters to achieve specific waveform portions, then spectrogram precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines and configures spectrogram parameters based on the selected waveform portion, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex settings. The instrument serves itself by intelligently adjusting time span, frequency span, and other parameters to match the user's selection in the waveform display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the waveform display and spectrogram generation that automatically translates user selections into appropriate spectrogram parameters. This mediator handles the complex parameter mapping and coordination, presenting a simple interface to users while managing sophistication internally.
2Loss of information
If the spectrogram displays the entire input waveform acquisition, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to focus on local portions of the waveform by enabling selection of specific time segments in the waveform display. The spectrogram then automatically adjusts to show only the relevant local portion, providing detailed view of specific events while maintaining the option to view the entire acquisition when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the waveform acquisition into selectable portions, allowing users to divide the entire signal into manageable segments. Each segment can be independently analyzed in the spectrogram, making it easier to study specific events without being overwhelmed by the complete dataset.
3Measurement precision
If the spectrogram time span is increased to cover more waveform data, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrogram parameters are made dynamic and automatically adapt to user interactions with the waveform display. When users zoom, pan, or select portions in the waveform view, the spectrogram dynamically adjusts its time and frequency spans to match, eliminating the need for users to manually coordinate multiple controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveform display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary visualization and the control interface for spectrogram generation. The same display that shows the waveform also enables selection and configuration of the spectrogram parameters through intuitive interactions like zooming and cursor placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement instrument includes an input port for accepting an input signal for measurement, a display having a first window for showing measurements of the input signal in a time domain, and having a second window for showing measurements of the input signal in a frequency domain, where the time domain of the first window and the frequency domain of the second window are related through a transform having a pre-determined resolution bandwidth, a cursor generator structured to generate a cursor at a specific location in time in the first window, a spectral generator to produce a spectral display of a portion of the input signal that is centered around the cursor and has the pre-determined resolution bandwidth, and an image generator configured to present the generated spectral display in the second window. Methods of generating spectral displays based on user-defined cursor locations are also described.