Apparatus and method for time correlated signal acquisition and viewing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017030945-A1
Application number	US-201615294522-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 14, 2016
Priority date	Aug 19, 2011
Publication date	Feb 2, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A test and measurement instrument and method are disclosed. The test and measurement instrument includes a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule. A processor is configured to sample an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A test and measurement instrument, comprising:
a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule; a processor configured to process an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule, the input signal being correlated to a time base, the processor being configured to process a second input signal and generate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the second input signal being correlated to the time base, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time base; the processor being configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period in the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

2 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.

3 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

4 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 further comprising a pan input configured to move the spectrum time indicator to a second location, the processor being configured to update the frequency domain waveform based on the second location.

5 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a zoom input configured to increase a zoom level and magnify the time domain waveform to create a zoomed view.

6 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to center the spectrum time indicator in the zoomed view as the zoom level is increased.

7 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to center the spectrum time indicator in the zoomed view as the magnified time domain waveform is panned.

8 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 , further comprising an input configured to receive the input signal.

9 . The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of user controls.

10 . A method of providing a test and measurement instrument the method comprising:
providing a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule; providing a processor configured to sample an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule and a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule; the processor being configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a pan input, move the spectrum time indicator to a second location and update the frequency domain waveform based on the second location.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a zoom input to increase a zoom level and magnify the time domain waveform to create a zoomed view.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the spectrum time indicator is centered in the zoomed view as the zoom level is increased.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the spectrum time indicator is centered in the zoomed view as the magnified time domain waveform is panned.

17 . A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for execution by a processor configured to perform test and measurement, the method comprising:
processing an input signal; generating a time domain waveform for display in a time domain graticule, the input signal being correlated to a time base; processing a second input signal; generating a frequency domain waveform for display in a frequency domain graticule, the second input signal being correlated to the time base, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform; and generating a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

18 . The computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.

19 . The computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

20 . The computer readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising receiving a pan input, moving the spectrum time indicator to a second location and updating the frequency domain waveform based on the second location.

Assignees

• Tektronix Inc

Inventors

• Waldo Gary J

Classifications

• G01R13/029

  Software therefor · CPC title

• G01R13/0236 Primary

  for presentation of more than one variable · CPC title