Test Circuit With Phase-Shifted Sampling for Narrow Pulse Widths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing testing circuits struggle to accurately test narrow pulse widths due to increased requirements for higher transmission frequencies and reduced pulse widths, leading to reduced testing accuracy and speed.
Innovation Solution
A testing circuit that splits the pulse signal into two sampled signals with a phase difference equal to the pulse width, allowing for improved accuracy and reduced testing speed requirements by generating first and second sampled signals with synchronized phase differences, using sampling modules and temporary storage units to analyze the pulse width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the transmission frequency of the pulse signal is increased to meet higher reading and writing speed requirements, then the reading and writing speed of the memory is improved, but the pulse width becomes narrower and harder to test accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse signal is segmented into two separate sampled signals with different phase positions. The first sampled signal captures the leading edge of the pulse while the second sampled signal captures the trailing edge. By segmenting the pulse measurement into two phase-shifted samples, the system can accurately determine pulse width even at high transmission frequencies where the pulse width is too narrow for direct measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Two sampling modules are introduced as intermediary components between the pulse signal source and the measurement system. These sampling modules capture the pulse signal at different phase positions, creating intermediate sampled signals that are easier to measure and analyze. The phase difference between these sampled signals serves as a mediator to indirectly determine the pulse width without directly measuring the narrow pulse itself.
2Productivity
If the pulse width is reduced to increase transmission frequency, then the data transmission capability is improved, but the existing testing circuit cannot accurately test the narrowed pulse width
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling modules perform preliminary action by capturing the pulse signal at predetermined phase positions before the actual measurement takes place. The first sampling module captures the leading edge and the second sampling module captures the trailing edge in advance, storing these phase-positioned samples in temporary storage units. This preliminary capture allows the measurement system to later calculate pulse width from these pre-sampled signals without being constrained by the narrow pulse duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach transitions from directly measuring the pulse width in the time domain to measuring the phase difference between two sampled signals. By introducing a phase dimension, the system converts a difficult direct time-width measurement into a phase-difference measurement, which can be accurately determined even when the original pulse width is too narrow for direct measurement.
3Device complexity
If a traditional testing circuit is used to test narrow pulse widths, then the circuit structure is simple, but the testing accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The testing circuit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating sampling modules that can capture signals at multiple phase positions. These sampling modules serve multiple purposes: they capture the pulse signal, store phase-positioned samples in temporary storage units, and enable phase-difference-based measurement. This universal approach allows the same circuit structure to handle both wide and narrow pulses accurately, maintaining simplicity while improving measurement precision across different pulse width scenarios.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A testing circuit and a testing method are provided. The testing circuit includes: a first sampling module configured to receive a to-be-tested pulse signal, and generate a first sampled signal according to the pulse signal; and a second sampling module configured to receive the pulse signal, and generate a second sampled signal according to the pulse signal. The second sampled signal and the first sampled signal have a phase difference, the phase difference being equal to a pulse width of the pulse signal.