Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test and measurement instrument having a multiple variable bandwidth frequency mask. The instrument includes an input processor for receiving an input signal and producing a digital signal, as well as a trigger signal generator for generating a trigger signal on the occurrence of a trigger event. A time to frequency converter converts a frame of digital data from the digital signal into a frequency spectrum having at least two frequency bins of dissimilar frequency widths. Each frequency bin has a power amplitude value. The trigger signal is generated when the power amplitude value of any of the at least two frequency bins violates an associated reference power level. In some cases the output may be shown as a density trace, and the trigger signal generated when any point of the density trace violates an associated density threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.

Abstract: An RF test and measurement device, including a front end for receiving a time-varying signal and a real-time engine for generating digital frequency domain spectrums based on the time-varying signal. The device also includes a memory subsystem containing a frequency domain bitmap which is updated through sequential receipt and storage of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The real time engine is further configured to monitor the frequency domain bitmap for occurrence of a signal characteristic, and in response to detection of the signal characteristic, cause a capture of the time-varying signal into a storage location of the RF test and measurement device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test and measurement instrument having a multiple variable bandwidth frequency mask. The instrument includes an input processor for receiving an input signal and producing a digital signal, as well as a trigger signal generator for generating a trigger signal on the occurrence of a trigger event. A time to frequency converter converts a frame of digital data from the digital signal into a frequency spectrum having at least two frequency bins of dissimilar frequency widths. Each frequency bin has a power amplitude value. The trigger signal is generated when the power amplitude value of any of the at least two frequency bins violates an associated reference power level. In some cases the output may be shown as a density trace, and the trigger signal generated when any point of the density trace violates an associated density threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous RF signal visualization with high resolution acquires RF signal data within a specified frequency bandwidth seamlessly to produce digitized time domain data. The digitized time domain data is processed in both the frequency and time domains to form high resolution spectral and time traces which are stored. To match human visualization abilities, the high resolution traces are combined to form low resolution traces which are displayed. With the spectral traces, spectrum bitmaps may be generated and stored so that the spectrum bitmap for any displayed spectral trace may be recalled and displayed. The high resolution traces for any specified low resolution trace may be recalled for display. Finally multiple trigger event types may be generated and displayed with the displayed traces.

Abstract: An RF test and measurement device, including a front end for receiving a time-varying signal and a real-time engine for generating digital frequency domain spectrums based on the time-varying signal. The device also includes a memory subsystem containing a frequency domain bitmap which is updated through sequential receipt and storage of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The real time engine is further configured to monitor the frequency domain bitmap for occurrence of a signal characteristic, and in response to detection of the signal characteristic, cause a capture of the time-varying signal into a storage location of the RF test and measurement device.

Abstract: A modulation domain trigger generator demodulates a modulated input signal to extract information content, and a trigger is generated from the extracted information content in response to specified trigger criteria. The modulation domain trigger generator may be combined with a plurality of different types of trigger generators, including frequency domain and time domain trigger generators, to process the input signal in response to different trigger criteria to produce more than one trigger. The different trigger outputs may be combined to produce an acquisition trigger to acquire data surrounding an anomalous or identifiable event within the input signal.

Abstract: A realtime power mask trigger generator for an instrument that acquires data in response to a trigger signal integrates power amplitudes over a defined bandwidth within a frequency spectrum for an input signal to produce an average signal power, and compares the average signal power with a specified reference power level for the defined bandwidth. Violation of the reference power level by the average signal power generates the trigger signal for acquiring data from the input signal about the trigger event by the instrument. The frequency spectrum may be divided into more than one defined frequency bandwidth, and each defined frequency bandwidth may have its own specified reference power level. The defined frequency bandwidths and associated reference power levels define a realtime power mask trigger.

Abstract: A method for time domain to frequency domain conversion is described. Time-domain input data is obtained. The input data is converted from the time domain to the frequency domain to provide frequency-domain data. Frequency-shifted time-domain data is produced. The frequency shifted time-domain data is converted from the time domain to the frequency domain to provide frequency-shifted frequency-domain data. The frequency-domain data is combined with the frequency-shifted frequency-domain data to produce combined frequency-domain data. The frequency-domain data is provided for further processing by a test and measurement system.

Abstract: A realtime power mask trigger generator for an instrument that acquires data in response to a trigger signal integrates power amplitudes over a defined bandwidth within a frequency spectrum for an input signal to produce an average signal power, and compares the average signal power with a specified reference power level for the defined bandwidth. Violation of the reference power level by the average signal power generates the trigger signal for acquiring data from the input signal about the trigger event by the instrument. The frequency spectrum may be divided into more than one defined frequency bandwidth, and each defined frequency bandwidth may have its own specified reference power level. The defined frequency bandwidths and associated reference power levels define a realtime power mask trigger.