Patents Assigned to National Instruments Corporation
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Publication number: 20150137840Abstract: A front-end converter circuit may allow devices, e.g. oscilloscopes and digitizers, to receive input signals having a wide range of possible amplitudes while maintaining a high standardized input impedance. The converter may selectively couple, using low-voltage switches, a selected input network of two or more input networks to a virtual ground node, and a selected feedback network of two or more feedback networks to a transconductance stage input. The selected input network and selected feedback network together define a respective input signal amplitude range. The converter may also controllably adjust an AC gain of the converter to match a DC gain of the converter, and selectively couple non-selected input networks to signal ground. Output referred integrated resistor thermal noise may be reduced to a desired value by lowering the value of the transconductance stage coupled across the input of the converter (through an input resistance) and the virtual ground node.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Whittington, Mohammadreza Samadiboroujeni
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Publication number: 20150130526Abstract: A front-end circuit for measurement devices, for example oscilloscopes or digitizers, may implement DC gain compensation using a programmable variable resistance. A MOS transistor may be configured and operated as a linear resistor with the ability to self-calibrate quickly, while compensating for temperature variations. An integrated CMOS-based variable resistor may be thereby used for an analog adjustable attenuator. Master and slave CMOS transistors may be operated in linear mode, and temperature effects on the linear transistors may be compensated for by using an integral loop controller (current controller) configured around the master MOS transistor. Circuits implemented with the compensated variable resistance have a wide range of adjustment with a control voltage, and may be used in the front-end (circuits) of an oscilloscope or digitizer, or in any other circuit and/or instrumentation benefitting from an adjustable attenuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Whittington, Mohammadreza Samadiboroujeni
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Publication number: 20150124842Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping an iterative time-based data acquisition (DAQ) operation to an isochronous data transfer channel of a network. A time-sensitive buffer (TSB) associated with the isochronous data transfer channel of the network may be configured. A data rate clock may and a local buffer may be configured. A functional unit may be configured to initiate continuous performance of the iterative time-based DAQ operation, transfer data to the local buffer, initiate transfer of the data between the local buffer and the TSB at a configured start time, and repeat the transferring and initiating transfer in an iterative manner, thereby transferring data between the local buffer and the TSB. The TSB may be configured to communicate data over the isochronous data transfer channel of the network, thereby mapping the iterative time-based DAQ operation to the isochronous data transfer channel of the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Brian Keith Odom
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Patent number: 9026987Abstract: System and method for performing program-related operations over a network via a web browser. A network connection is established between a server computer and a client computer over a network. A universal resource identifier (URI) is sent from the client computer to the server computer over the network, where the URI indicates a program, e.g., a graphical program (GP), or at least a portion of a graphical program interactive development environment (GPIDE), e.g., a graphical program editor, an execution engine, a static or dynamic analyzer, and/or compiler. The at least a portion of the GPIDE is received from the server computer over the network in response to the URI, and executed in a web browser of the client computer to perform some specified functionality with respect to the GP.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Cifra
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Patent number: 9020906Abstract: A method and system is presented which provides a TDM framework for managing self-describing measurement data. The TDM framework provides applications with a central platform for accessing measurement data across an entire enterprise system. By means of individual plug-ins, which are specific to a given data file format, meta-data for each data store in the enterprise may be indexed in a unified manner. The unified indexing, in turn, provides the ability to browse and query the indexed measurement data without requiring the opening or reading from a source data file.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Andreas Peter Haub, Stefan Romainczyk, Ralf Deininger, Helmut Helpenstein, Andreas Krantz, Myrle Krantz
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Patent number: 9015938Abstract: A connector is disclosed. The connector includes a conductive housing. The conductive housing includes a wall region enclosing a space for receiving an adapter. The conductive housing also includes an annular end piece extending radially inward from a first end of the wall region and terminating the space. The annular end piece includes a flat annular surface, and a raised deformable annulus mounted on the flat annular surface. The raised deformable annulus is of a height such that an insertion of the adapter into the space deforms the raised deformable annulus to generate a physical contact connection between the flat annular surface and the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Ron J. Barnett, Gregory S. Gonzales
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Patent number: 9020019Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring transmitter and/or receiver I/Q impairments are disclosed, including iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using shared local oscillators, iterative methods for measuring transmitter I/Q impairments using intentionally-offset local oscillators, and methods for measuring receiver I/Q impairments. Also disclosed are methods for computing I/Q impairments from a sampled complex signal, methods for computing DC properties of a signal path between the transmitter and receiver, and methods for transforming I/Q impairments through a linear system.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Stephen L. Dark
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Publication number: 20150103836Abstract: Systems and methods for interoperating between a time-sensitive (TS) network and a non-time-sensitive (NTS) network. The system may include a TS network switch and a TS network interface controller (NIC). Each may have a functional unit. A first port of the TS switch may be coupled to an NTS node of the NTS network and its functional unit may be configured to manage insertion and removal of tags associating packets received from the NTS network with the NTS network. The tagged packets may be forwarded on to the TS NIC via a second port. The functional unit of the TS NIC may be configured to queue tagged packets received from the TS network switch and queue and tag packets destined for the NTS network via the TS network switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Rodney W. Cummings, Changzhe Gao, Brian Keith Odom
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Publication number: 20150103848Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing clocks across networks using a time-sensitive (TS) network interface controller (NIC). The TS NIC may include a functional unit, a port, a clock, a plurality of input/output queue pairs, and a time stamp unit (TSU). The functional unit may be configured to generate synchronization packets usable by an NTS network timekeeper of a respective NTS network to synchronize the NTS network to the master clock, including using the TSU to generate time stamps for the synchronization packets in accordance with the clock synchronized to the master clock and communicate with the respective NTS network via the port using the corresponding input/output queue pair, including sending the synchronization packets to the NTS network timekeeper of the respective NTS network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Rodney D. Greenstreet, Brian Keith Odom
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Publication number: 20150103828Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling data egress using a time-sensitive (TS) network switch. The TS network switch may include a functional unit, a plurality of ports, and a plurality of queues. Each port may be associated with a set of network addresses for TS packets and may be configured with a set of egress periods. Each queue may be associated with a TS packet type and a port. The functional unit may be configured to receive TS packets asynchronously from a network node via a first port, determine a second port for egressing a TS packet, determine an egress period for egressing the TS packet, determine that the TS packet cannot currently be egressed from the second port, queue the TS packet in a first queue, where the first queue is associated with the second port, and egress the TS packet in the respective time window from the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Brian Keith Odom
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Patent number: 9003220Abstract: Devices and methods for synchronizing devices over a switched fabric. A switch receives a request packet from a device, transmits a completion packet to the device, determines an in-switch delay, and stores the in-switch delay. Another switch receives a packet from a first device, forwards the packet to a second device, determines an in-switch delay of the packet, and stores the in-switch delay. Storing of in-switch delays may include adding an in-switch delay to values in one or more transaction delay fields of a packet. Storing of in-switch delays may include storing the delays in a storage element of a switch. In-switch delay may be determined as a difference between a receiving time corresponding to reception of a packet and a forwarding or transmittal time corresponding to forwarding or transmitting of a packet.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Sundeep Chandhoke, Rodney D. Greenstreet
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Patent number: 9002917Abstract: Provided is a system for generating coefficient values. The system may include a base function generator and a series of accumulators including a leading and a last accumulator. In the series of accumulators, the data output of each accumulator, except the last, may be coupled to the data input of a successive adjacent accumulator. The base function generator may be configured to output, to the leading accumulator, a series of data values that may correspond to a base function that is a specified order derivative of a filter function. Each accumulator may be configured to: add a data value currently at its data input to a currently stored data value to produce an updated data value that may correspond to a respective value of a specified order integral of the base function; store the updated data value in the accumulator; and output the updated data value at its data output.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Hector Rubio, Garritt W. Foote
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Patent number: 8995513Abstract: Device and method for outputting a leaked radio frequency (RF) signal useable for triggering devices under test (DUTs). The device may include a vector signal analyzer (VSA) which may also perform the method for triggering DUTs. The VSA may include a first component, configured to generate an RF signal, an input configured to receive RF signals transmitted from DUTs, and a received RF signal conditioning portion, each coupled to an internal switching portion. The VSA may be configured to generate the RF signal via the first component, leak the RF signal from the first component to the internal switching portion, generating a leaked RF signal, route the leaked RF signal to the input, bypassing the received RF signal conditioning portion and output the leaked RF signal which is useable to trigger DUTs via the input.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Roman R. Sandoval, Craig E. Rupp, William G. Reid, Jaffar Shah, Paulo A. Lamas De Anda
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Patent number: 8992263Abstract: System and method for communicatively coupling a serial communication plug to a serial communication bus. The system may include a housing. The housing may include a receptacle that is configured to communicatively couple to a bus. The receptacle may include one or more internal retention springs situated inside the receptacle. The one or more internal retention springs may be configured to grip a male plug with a retention force, when the male plug is inserted into the receptacle. The housing may include or may be coupled to a clamp where the clamp is external to the receptacle. When the male plug is inserted into the receptacle, the clamp may be adjustable via a clamp adjustment mechanism to constrain the one or more internal retention springs, thus augmenting the retention force and further securing the male plug in the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Matthew R. Fallon, Dennis Vance Toth, Christopher A. Rake
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Publication number: 20150077195Abstract: A hybrid diplexer combining planar transmission line(s) and a waveguide is disclosed. In one embodiment, a diplexer includes first, second, and third ports. The diplexer also includes a first signal path and a second signal path. The first signal path may be used to convey lower frequencies, and may be implemented using planar transmission lines. The second signal path may be used to convey higher frequencies, and may be implemented, at least in part, using a waveguide. The first signal path may be coupled between the first port and the second port, while the second signal path may be coupled between the first port and the third port. In one embodiment, the first signal path may implement a low-pass filter, while the second signal path may implement a high-pass filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Amarpal S. Khanna, Irfan Ashiq
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Patent number: 8984342Abstract: Method and system for a test process. The method may include performing tests on one or more units under test (UUTs). At least one test on one or more UUTs may be performed. A signal may be acquired from the UUT. A reference signal may be retrieved. The reference signal may be derived from a transmitted signal characteristic of the UUT. The signal may be analyzed with respect to the reference signal. Results, useable to characterize the one or more UUTs, from performing the at least one test on the one or more UUTs may be stored. The reference signal may be derived from an initial test and may be stored for subsequent retrieval. A respective reference signal may be retrieved for all UUTs of the one or more UUTs for a respective test. The signal may be a radio frequency signal. The UUT may be a wireless mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Craig E. Rupp, Gerardo Orozco Valdes, I. Zakir Ahmed, Vijaya Yajnanarayana
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Patent number: 8957309Abstract: A measurement apparatus is disclosed. The measurement apparatus includes a lid configured to be removably affixed to a case. The lid is formed from a substrate composed of a first material. An interior surface of the lid includes a surface coating of a second material. A raised seal is affixed to the substrate and extends beyond the interior surface in a direction orthogonal to the interior surface. The raised seal includes an elastic deformable layer adjacent to the substrate. The raised seal also includes a surface conforming layer configured such that, when the lid is affixed to the case, the surface conforming layer is adjacent to the case along a side opposite the elastic deformable layer. The surface conforming layer is composed of a material of a yield strength less than a normal force generated by fixation of the lid to the case.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Ron Jay Barnett, Gregory Stephen Gonzales
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Publication number: 20150035515Abstract: A power converter may have an input stage that includes a pair of transformer coils, switching circuitry to energize the pair of transformer coils according to an input supply voltage provided by an input source, and a limiting circuit coupled between the pair of transformer coils to cause the input stage to stop drawing current from the input source once the amount of charge drawn from the input source reaches a specific value. An output stage of the power converter may receive energy from the pair of transformer coils, and convert the received energy into an output supply voltage. The pair of transformer coils may continue providing energy stored in a leakage inductance of the pair of transformer coils to the output stage for at least a period of time, once the limiting circuit has caused the input stage to stop drawing current from the input supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: National Instruments CorporationInventor: Jeffrey A. Cornell
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Publication number: 20150039272Abstract: A digitizer system (DS) may include one or more input channels to receive sample data, and an acquisition state machine (ASM) to organize the sample data into one or more acquisition records according to events of interest, and generate framing information corresponding to the one or more acquisition records. The events of interest may be identified by a trigger circuit in the DS, and relayed to the ASM for organizing the sample data. The DS may further include a data interface capable of receiving the one or more acquisition records and the framing information, encoding the one or more acquisition records and the framing information into encoded data, and transmitting the encoded data to an expansion module. The expansion module may receive the encoded data, decode the encoded data, and recover the sample data from the decoded data according to the framing information and the one or more acquisition records.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Rafael Castro Scorsi, Kunal H. Patel, Hector Rubio
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Publication number: 20150040100Abstract: Method and memory medium for generating a web service. A plurality of graphical data flow programs may be provided, and user input selecting one or more of plurality of graphical data flow programs for inclusion in a web service may be received, The web service may be generated based on the one or more graphical data flow programs. Each graphical data flow program may implement a respective web method, where each web method may implement or request a respective action. The web service may be deployable to a server for hosting, where the web service is invocable over a network to perform the corresponding one or more web methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATIONInventors: Charles A. Kalapati, Paul A. Spangler, Jared A. Winston