Usage-Aware Waveform Compression for Faster Instrument Data Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compression techniques for data from test and measurement instruments, such as oscilloscopes, are slow and often lossy, making it difficult to efficiently transfer large datasets across networks due to the varied usage applications of waveform data, which lack specific knowledge of unnecessary data elements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing usage-aware lossy compression methods in test and measurement instruments, where users provide input on intended data usage to remove unnecessary elements, followed by optional lossless compression, to reduce data size and transfer time effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If lossy compression techniques are applied to waveform data, then data size is reduced, but data accuracy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sizeVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by receiving usage information before compression, determining the intended use of the waveform data (e.g., display, measurement, analysis). This allows the compression algorithm to pre-identify which data elements can be removed or approximated based on the specific application requirements, thereby reducing data size while preserving accuracy for the intended purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by treating different portions of the waveform data differently based on their importance for the intended usage. Critical data elements relevant to the specific application are preserved with high fidelity, while less important portions are compressed more aggressively. This selective approach ensures data accuracy is maintained where needed while achieving compression elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of time

If conventional compression techniques are used, then data transfer time is reduced, but compression ratio is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer timeVSAvoidcompression ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by receiving usage information before compression, determining the intended use of the waveform data (e.g., display, measurement, analysis). This allows the compression algorithm to pre-identify which data elements can be removed or approximated based on the specific application requirements, thereby reducing data size while preserving accuracy for the intended purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by adjusting compression settings based on the received usage information. Different usage scenarios trigger different compression parameters and algorithms, optimizing the balance between compression ratio and data quality for each specific application. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables significantly higher compression ratios compared to conventional fixed approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If high compression is applied to waveform data, then data size is reduced, but applicability to multiple usages is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sizeVSAvoidusage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by receiving usage information before compression, determining the intended use of the waveform data (e.g., display, measurement, analysis). This allows the compression algorithm to pre-identify which data elements can be removed or approximated based on the specific application requirements, thereby reducing data size while preserving accuracy for the intended purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230012393A1Usage-aware compression for streaming data from a test and measurement instrument

Publication Date: 2023.01.12 TEKTRONIX INC

AI summary

A test and measurement instrument includes one or more ports including at least one test port configured to couple to one or more devices under test, a user interface to receive one or more user inputs, an acquisition memory to store waveform data acquired from the one or more devices under test, one or more processors configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: receive an input through the user interface; determine one or more requested data types based on the input; transform the waveform data into compressed data containing only data elements corresponding to the one or more requested data types; and transmit the compressed data to a client. A method of providing usage-aware compressed data from a test and measurement instrument includes acquiring waveform data from one or more devices under test, receiving a user input through a user interface, determining one or more requested data types based on the user input, transforming the waveform data into compressed data containing only data elements corresponding to the one or more requested data types, and transmitting the compressed data to a client.