Wireless Signal Regeneration Using Counter Values for Accurate Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic products with wireless communication functions face measurement errors due to environmental factors affecting clock signal frequencies and signal delays during testing, leading to inaccuracies in signal measurement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device comprising a wireless communication module, a counter, and a processing circuit that receives and processes counter values from another electronic device to generate an output signal that accurately replicates the original signal, mitigating the impact of clock signal frequency differences and signal delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used to transmit signal information from the electronic product to the measuring device, then the electronic product can be tested without physical connection, but measurement errors occur due to clock signal frequency differences and signal delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces counter values as intermediary parameters that bridge the electronic product and measuring device. Instead of directly comparing clock signals, the system uses counters to generate discrete event markers (rising/falling edges) that are transmitted via wireless communication. This intermediary approach decouples the two systems, allowing accurate measurement without direct clock synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the original signal by generating an output signal in the measuring device that replicates the characteristics of the input signal from the electronic product. This copy is constructed using the transmitted counter values and local counter events, enabling accurate signal analysis without requiring identical clock frequencies between devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clock signal frequency is affected by environmental factors such as temperature, then the electronic product can operate in various environments, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to frequency differences between the electronic product and measuring device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service measurement mechanism where each device independently tracks its own counter events. The electronic product generates counter values based on its local clock, and the measuring device generates corresponding counter values based on its local clock. This self-service approach eliminates the need for clock synchronization, allowing both devices to adapt to their respective environmental conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from time-domain synchronization (comparing clock frequencies) to event-domain correlation (comparing counter events). By measuring signal characteristics in terms of counter value differences rather than absolute time intervals, the system becomes insensitive to clock frequency variations caused by environmental factors, effectively changing the measurement dimension.
3Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used, then physical connection is eliminated, but real-time signal measurement is compromised due to transmission delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary counting actions locally at both devices before transmission occurs. The counters continuously track clock cycles and signal edges, so when a transmission event occurs, the counter values are already prepared and immediately available. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time synchronization during transmission, as the measurement data has already been captured locally.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electronic device including a wireless communication module, a counter and a processing circuit. The wireless communication module is configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from another electronic device, wherein the first packet includes a first counter value, the second packet includes a second counter value, and the first counter value and the second counter value correspond to two adjacent edges of an original signal of another electronic device, respectively. The processing circuit is configured to obtain a third counter value from the counter when the first packet is received, and obtain a fourth counter value from the counter when the second packet is received; and the processing circuit further generates an output signal that is substantially the same as the original signal according to the first counter value, the second counter value, the third counter value and the fourth counter value.