Switch Device Route Definition Based on Signal Characteristics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test and measurement systems lack an efficient method to define routes through switch devices based on signal requirements and resource dependencies, leading to potential damage or improper signal propagation due to mismatched signal characteristics and resource constraints.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a virtual switch device, managed by a computer system with a graphical user interface, allowing users to configure routes graphically through a visual route editor, ensuring signal characteristics match the requirements and resource dependencies are met, using a switch executive core to select appropriate hardware and software components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual route configuration is used without signal characteristic verification, then configuration simplicity is improved, but signal propagation reliability deteriorates due to mismatched signal characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute configuration simplicityVSAvoidsignal propagation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of signal characteristics (voltage, current, impedance, frequency) and resource dependencies (channel availability, hardwire connections) before finalizing the route configuration. This advance checking ensures that only valid routes meeting all requirements are configured, preventing signal propagation issues while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback by validating signal characteristics and resource dependencies against the defined requirements. When a route configuration is attempted, the system checks whether the selected path satisfies all signal requirements and resource constraints, providing immediate validation feedback to confirm route validity or indicate configuration errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automated route configuration with full verification is implemented, then signal propagation reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal propagation reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically checking signal characteristics and resource dependencies without requiring manual verification steps. The configuration system inherently validates routes against defined requirements, making the verification process transparent and integrated into the configuration workflow, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the route configuration function with signal characteristic verification and resource dependency checking into a single integrated process. By combining these functions, the system avoids the need for separate verification steps and tools, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive validation of signal propagation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If signal characteristic requirements are strictly enforced, then device protection is improved, but configuration flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice damage protectionVSAvoidroute configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts route configuration based on the defined signal characteristic requirements. Rather than imposing static constraints, the system flexibly selects from available routes that satisfy the requirements, allowing multiple valid configuration options. This dynamic approach protects devices by enforcing minimum safety thresholds while maintaining flexibility in how requirements are met through different valid paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies signal characteristic requirements locally to specific route segments and components rather than uniformly to all configurations. By validating signal characteristics (voltage, current, impedance, frequency) at each relevant point in the signal path and against the specific requirements of connected devices, the system provides targeted protection where needed while allowing flexibility in other areas of the configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8161144B2Defining a switch device route based on required signal characteristics and resource dependencies

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP

AI summary

A system and method for defining a route through one or more switch devices based on signal requirements and/or resource dependencies. The user may interact with a graphical user interface to specify required signal characteristics for the route, such as signal bandwidth, voltage, carry current, etc. The required signal characteristics may then be used when selecting or determining channels to include the route. The required signal characteristics may affect both automatically selected channels and user-selected channels. For example, if the user specifies a portion of a route and the switch executive core automatically completes the route for the user, the switch executive core may choose a route including only valid channels, according to the required signal characteristics.