Trigger Time Determination Using Multi-Bandwidth Low Pass Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the trigger time of a trigger event in digital signals, such as those from measurement systems, face limitations due to noise and limited sampling rates, leading to inaccurate results, especially when signals have both high and low frequency components.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing multiple detection paths with low pass filters of different bandwidths to filter and detect trigger events, with a selector choosing the most accurate trigger time from the paths, and an additional trigger detector for unfiltered signal analysis to enhance reliability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single detection path with a fixed bandwidth filter is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of trigger time is limited for signals with varying frequency characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple parallel detection paths, each equipped with a low-pass filter having a different bandwidth. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for specific frequency ranges, thereby improving trigger time measurement precision for different signal types without requiring a single complex adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detection path is assigned a specific bandwidth characteristic tailored to particular signal types. For example, paths with broader bandwidths are suited for fast-changing signals while narrower bandwidth paths handle slower signals. This local optimization of filter characteristics improves measurement precision for each signal category while maintaining overall system manageability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection paths with different bandwidth filters are used, then the measurement precision of trigger time improves for various signal characteristics, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system varies the bandwidth parameter of low-pass filters across multiple detection paths to accommodate different signal characteristics. By changing this key parameter rather than designing entirely different detection systems, the patent achieves improved precision for various signal types while controlling complexity through parameterization rather than structural proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection paths with different bandwidths are designed to handle a universal range of signal types within a single system. Each path can process different frequency characteristics, making the overall system multi-functional and capable of measuring trigger times for both fast-changing and slow-varying signals without requiring external specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If noise filtering is applied to improve signal quality, then the reliability of trigger event detection improves, but the trigger time determination accuracy may deteriorate due to filtering delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects among multiple detection paths with different bandwidth characteristics based on the actual signal properties. For fast-changing signals, paths with broader bandwidths are selected to minimize filtering delays and maintain trigger time accuracy, while for slower signals, narrower bandwidth paths provide better noise filtering and reliability without significant time distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of signal characteristics to determine the appropriate detection path before final trigger time determination. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-select the optimal bandwidth filter that will balance noise filtering and time accuracy requirements for the specific signal being analyzed, preventing the need to compromise between reliability and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved determination of a trigger time. For this purpose, an input signal is provided to multiple low pass filters having different bandwidths. A trigger event is detected in each of the low pass filtered signals and a corresponding trigger time is determined. The trigger time which is determined based on valid trigger detection and provided by the low pass filter with the highest bandwidth is used for further analysis.