Patents Assigned to Tektronix, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8817649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the adaptive monitoring of telecommunications networks are described. In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring traffic transmitted through a mobile telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, etc.) and identifying a monitoring rule. The monitoring rule may associate a selected portion of the traffic (e.g., based on content type, source, destination, transport protocol, session, etc.) with a monitoring sampling ratio, and the monitoring sampling ratio may determine a fraction of the selected portion of the traffic usable to provide one or more performance indicators (e.g., service indicators, network congestion, connection maintenance, service quality, and/or network availability). The method may further include modifying the monitoring sampling ratio in response to a change in network monitoring conditions (e.g., one or more probes operating at or near capacity, scheduled maintenance events, peak traffic times, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Dong, Robert Todd Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8818744
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument and method of switching waveform display styles includes acquiring an electrical signal, storing peak detect data samples from the electrical signal to one or more memory devices, storing filtered data samples or unfiltered data from the electrical signal, automatically switching to a first waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a first mode when a user selects the unfiltered data, and automatically switching to a second waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a second mode when the user selects the filtered data samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Martin, David D. Farrell, Evan A. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20140233914
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide tools that users may implement to quantify an artistic “Appearance” or “Look” of an image or set of images and carry the Look forward across multiple scenes of a collection. Additionally, the tools allow the same Look to be preserved when viewing the image or images on a wide variety of playback devices, such as cinema, television, computer monitor, and hand-held devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Williams
  • Patent number: 8810258
    Abstract: A signal acquisition system has a signal acquisition probe having probe tip circuitry coupled to a resistive center conductor signal cable. The resistive center conductor signal cable of the signal acquisition probe is coupled to a compensation system in a signal processing instrument via an input node and input circuitry in the signal processing instrument. The signal acquisition probe and the signal processing instrument have mismatched time constants at the input node with the compensation system having an input amplifier with feedback loop circuitry and a shunt pole-zero pair coupled to the input circuitry providing pole-zero pairs for maintaining flatness over the signal acquisition system frequency bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah A. Bartlett, Ira G. Pollock, Daniel G. Knierim, Michael D. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8811289
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Long Term Evolution (LTE) interface correlation are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a first message, the first message having been intercepted over an air (Uu) interface of an LTE network (e.g., probed via a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) between an Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) Node B (eNB)'s remote radio head and baseband processing unit), the first message having a first identifier. The method may also include receiving a second message, the second message having been intercepted over the S1 interface between the eNB and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) within an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) portion of the LTE network within a given time window from the first message, the second message having a second identifier. The method may further include correlating the first and second messages in response to a match between the first and second identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey G. Ivershen, Vignesh Janakiraman, Martin Winau, Ralf Kreher, Julien Schnerrer, Martin Polak
  • Publication number: 20140225591
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument including a splitter configured to split an input signal having a particular bandwidth into a plurality of split signals, each split signal including substantially the entire bandwidth of the input signal; a plurality of harmonic mixers, each harmonic mixer configured to mix an associated split signal of the plurality of split signals with an associated harmonic signal to generate an associated mixed signal; and a plurality of digitizers, each digitizer configured to digitize a mixed signal of an associated harmonic mixer of the plurality of harmonic mixers. A first-order harmonic of at least one harmonic signal associated with the harmonic mixers is different from an effective sample rate of at least one of the digitizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim, James S. Lamb
  • Patent number: 8805313
    Abstract: An integrated calibrator provides for magnitude and phase response calibration of RF receivers to produce amplitude flatness and phase linearity across the frequency range of the RF receiver by using a simple square law diode detector and a frequency-stepped two-tone source. A two-tone source generator provides two sinusoidal signals separated by a specified frequency delta about a center frequency. The center frequency is stepped across the bandwidth of the RF receiver. At each center frequency the two sinusoidal signals are input to the RF receiver and to the diode detector. The two sinusoidal signals are processed by both the receiver path and the calibrator path, and the results are used by the calibrator to generate coefficients for a correction filter in the receiver path at each of the stepped center frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus K. Da Silva, Gordon A. Olsen, Richard M. Crouch, Franklin M. Borden
  • Publication number: 20140210454
    Abstract: Conductive strips are stacked, insulated, folded, and formed into geometric shapes to provide a low resistance, low inductance, shunt, wherein the geometric shape readily enables cooling to reduce changes in resistance due to self-heating effects. One such geometric shape is attained by winding the conductive strips into a spiral. Another geometric shape is a shape resembling a wave. Both geometric shapes allow cooling by directing airflow from a fan across their surface portions. A variable-speed cooling-fan is controlled in response to measured temperature of the shunt, or in response to a measurement of the current through the shunt. Differential cooling may be employed by means of changing the amount of airflow across various portions of the shunt in response to measured temperature of the shunt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Tedd, John Stewart Ford, Lionel Ind
  • Patent number: 8793536
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatuses, and systems for automatically identifying a synchronization sub-pattern associated with a test pattern. A test and measurement instrument is triggered in response to a first instance of a trigger pattern in a data stream. A trigger-to-trigger counter begins counting at the time of the first trigger event. The test and measurement instrument is again triggered in response to a second instance of the trigger pattern in the data stream. The count is ended at this time. The count is then compared to a predefined length of the test pattern, and if equal, it is automatically determined that the trigger pattern is the unique synchronization sub-pattern associated with the test pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Que Thuy Tran
  • Patent number: 8791706
    Abstract: A signal acquisition system has a signal acquisition probe having probe tip circuitry coupled to a resistive center conductor signal cable. The resistive center conductor signal cable is coupled to a compensation system in a signal processing instrument via an input node and input circuitry in the signal processing instrument. The signal acquisition probe and the signal processing instrument have mismatched time constants at the input node with the compensation system having an input amplifier with feedback loop circuitry and a compensation digital filter providing pole-zero pairs for maintaining flatness over the signal acquisition system frequency bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah A. Bartlett, Ira G. Pollock, Daniel G. Knierim, Michael Duane Stevens
  • Patent number: 8788234
    Abstract: In a multi-channel oscilloscope a method of calibrating interleaved digitizer channels initially calibrates each digitizer channel to produce a bandwidth enhanced filter for each digitizer channel to match the respective channel frequency and phase characteristics. The oscilloscope is then configured for interleaved operation whereby an input signal is applied to at least two digitizers via a switch through a common preamplifier to produce a reference digitizer channel and an interleaved digitizer channel where the bandwidth enhanced filter for the interleaved digitizer channel is now not correct. Fast Fourier transforms are performed on the data from the reference digitizer channel and the interleaved digitizer channel, from which are derived a match filter for the interleaved digitizer channel so the interleaved digitizer channel and reference digitizer channel are matched in phase and magnitude at all frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 8781222
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for automatically detecting persons and/or other objects in a video signal. Automatic color compensation is applied to the video signal based on measured color of a reference area of the video signal. Generally the reference area is an area of the video signal that does not change often over time. The color compensated video signal is then analyzed for the appearance of objects and persons. In some instances the persons are identified using facial or other type of recognition. Counters or other trackers may provide real-time information, such as how many people are currently on a particular floor of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8767563
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method of monitoring, by establishing end to end loopback testing across one or more networks with dissimilar transport technologies. The system allows for connection in loopback mode from a standard interface on a test device to a media adaptor located on an IP-based access network, such as a standard multimedia terminal adapter (“MTA”). End-to-End Quality of service delivered over the transmit and receive path can thus be monitored. Loopback tests are initiated from designated endpoints on the network and made operational by attaching a tag to a telephone number, to allow the gateway to signal connection mode to a call agent. The system and method overcome certain inherent limitations of the MGCP/NCS architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Reniere, Yassine Boujelben
  • Patent number: 8768020
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for detecting visual stress scenes in a video. First, a video that includes scenes that may cause visual stress in some viewers is received. Then, a signal representing human perceptual response from scenes in the video is generated. An envelope follower is applied to the perceptual response, from which indications that the video contains visual stress scenes may be generated. The output may also be used to control a contrast limiting circuit, which modifies the original video to remove or minimize those scenes that may cause visual stress. Additionally, output from the envelope follower may be converted to a simulated EEG signal and used to verify accurate modeling by comparing the simulated EEG signal to one measured directly from a viewer watching the same video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8767870
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a variable inter symbol interference generator that generates a data signal having a variable amount of inter symbol interference by passing a data signal through (1) a programmable filter having an adjustable frequency response, and through (2) a fixed filter having a fixed frequency response such as a PCB trace, a length of cable, a discrete filter, or the like. By adjusting the parameters and therefore the insertion gain or loss of the programmable filter, and combining this with one or more fixed filters, a large range of continuously variable and finely tunable inter symbol interference amounts can be easily generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Waschura, Senthil Kumar Thandapani, Timothy E. Sauerwein
  • Publication number: 20140176176
    Abstract: A high bandwidth solder-less lead may be connected to an electrical device having land patterns so that signals on the device may be more easily measured through the lead. The lead includes an attachment mechanism to mount the lead on the device, a microspring housing and at least one microspring. The microspring connects one of the particular land patterns on the device to the lead where it may be easier to couple to a measurement device than to the electrical device itself The lead may be coupled to a flexible electrical conduit to make attaching to the testing device even easier. In other versions, a uniform connector may be temporarily attached to the solder-less lead to test the device. Then the connector may be disconnected from the first lead and connected to another lead to test another area of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: JAMES H. MCGRATH, JR.
  • Patent number: 8761757
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying communication devices in telecommunication networks are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving an identification code of a device operating in a network controlled, at least in part, by a telecommunications operator, the device having a model and/or a manufacturer. The method may also include obtaining user-plane information within one or more communications made by the device, correlating the identification code with the user-plane information, and determining, based upon the correlation the model and/or the manufacturer of the device. In some cases, by correlating these disparate pieces of information, an approximation of the device's identifier may be created, which may then allow the device to be identified (e.g., for presentation, etc.) even in cases where such an identifier has not been provisioned (or even has been provisioned incorrectly) to a telecommunications monitoring system by the network operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Colm Costelloe
  • Publication number: 20140169763
    Abstract: Methods for detecting structured artifacts in a video may begin by accepting a video frame at a video input and then generating a filtered frame from the video frame. After a differenced image is produced, groups of connected pixels (blobs) within the differenced frame are identified, and isolated blobs are removed to produce a cleaned image. A Fourier transform is performed on the cleaned image, and structured artifacts may be identified based on a comparison of magnitudes of the Fourier components of the cleaned image. Devices that detect and identify structured artifacts are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind Nayak, G. V. Varaprasad
  • Publication number: 20140171089
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring traffic across Diameter Core Agents (DCAs) such as, for example, Diameter Signaling Routers (DSRs) and/or Diameter Routing Agents (DRAs). In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a first set of one or more messages at a telecommunications monitoring system, the first set of one or more messages transmitted between a Diameter client and a Diameter device. The method may also include receiving a second set of one or more messages at the telecommunications monitoring system, the second set of one or more messages transmitted between the Diameter device and a Diameter server. The method may further include correlating the first set of one or more messages with the second set of one or more messages as part of a single Diameter call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Vignesh Janakiraman, John P. Curtin
  • Publication number: 20140172339
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument having initial display center frequency and span settings and configured to process an input signal is disclosed. The test and measurement instrument includes a processor configured to digitize the input signal and locate a primary peak and determine a primary peak center frequency of the input signal. The processor is configured to adjust the initial display center frequency setting based on the primary peak center frequency. The processor is configured to perform a bandwidth comparison by comparing a bandwidth of the primary peak at a peak bandwidth test level to a peak bandwidth threshold. The processor is configured adjust the initial span setting based on the bandwidth comparison and generate a processed waveform signal using the adjusted display center frequency and span settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian S. Dees, Thomas L. Kuntz, David L. Suryan