Test Instrument Bit-Error Detection via Pattern Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test and measurement instruments face challenges in accurately detecting bit errors in digitized data, which can be masked within error-free data, hindering effective analysis and acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A test and measurement instrument comprising an input to receive and digitize signals, a memory to store reference digitized data, a pattern detector to generate synchronization signals, and a comparator to compare the reference data with the digitized data, enabling detection and analysis of bit errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If digitized data is displayed without error detection, then the display is simple and continuous, but bit errors cannot be identified and are masked within error-free data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit error detection accuracyVSAvoidinstrument structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the digitized data into individual bits or groups of bits for separate analysis. The comparator divides the data stream into reference portions and received portions, enabling bit-by-bit error detection without overwhelming the system with entire data blocks at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a comparator as an intermediary component between the data input and display systems. This comparator acts as a mediator that compares received digitized data against reference data, identifying errors without requiring fundamental changes to the existing display architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If bit-by-bit comparison is performed to detect errors, then error detection precision is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection precisionVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores reference digitized data in advance in a memory component before comparison is needed. This preliminary preparation of reference data eliminates the need to generate or retrieve reference data during the comparison process, significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the reference data and stores it in memory for rapid access during comparison. This copying approach allows the comparator to quickly retrieve reference portions without accessing the original source, enabling faster real-time error detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If reference data is stored and compared with incoming data, then bit error detection capability is enhanced, but memory requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrity verificationVSAvoidmemory storage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by storing and comparing only the specific reference portions of data that are necessary for error detection, rather than storing entire data sets. The comparator focuses on specific bits or groups of bits that contain error information, reducing overall memory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data representation by storing reference data in a formatted structure that optimizes for comparison operations. The memory stores data in a manner that allows rapid retrieval of specific portions, and the comparator processes data in optimized segments rather than raw form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2285035B1Test and measurement instrument with bit-error detection
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 TEKTRONIX INC
  • EP2285035B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2285035B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A test and measurement instrument including an input configured to receive a signal and output digitized data; a memory configured to store reference digitized data including a reference sequence; a pattern detector configured to detect the reference sequence in the digitized data and generate a synchronization signal in response; a memory controller configured to cause the memory to output the reference digitized data in response to the synchronization signal; and a comparator configured to compare the reference digitized data output from the memory to the digitized data.