Abstract: Techniques that enable a design tradeoff between performing packet recognition in hardware and software. A packet recognizer according to the present teachings includes a hardware portion having a functionality that is selected in response to a tradeoff in a relative complexity of the hardware portion and a software portion of the packet recognizer.

Abstract: Trigger distribution with time-based control over the handling of trigger signals. A trigger distribution device according to the present teachings includes a timing subsystem that provides a time base for handling a set trigger signals that are distributed among a unit under test and a set of instruments.

Abstract: A signal monitor device that detects a signal propagating on a signal line and that generates a timestamp when the signal is detected. The timestamp may be used in a variety of applications including measuring the propagation delays on signal lines and determining the timing in a system.

Abstract: Techniques for removing delay fluctuations from network time synchronization so that timing packets that experience an inordinate network delay to not cause unneeded adjustments to a local clock. Time synchronization according to the present techniques includes measuring a network delay associated with a timing packet and discarding the timing packet if the network delay exceeds an adjustable threshold. The adjustable threshold enables balancing the quality of delay measurements in terms of delay fluctuation against the number of delay measurements that are sufficient to maintain time synchronization.

Abstract: Techniques for correcting time synchronization inaccuracy caused by asymmetric delays on a communication link. Time synchronization according to the present techniques includes determining an asymmetry in a propagation delay on a communication link used by a first device and a second device to exchange timing information and incorporating the asymmetry into a determination of a clock offset between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A method for time synchronization that avoids time synchronization inaccuracies caused by asymmetric delays internal to a device. Time synchronization according to the present teachings includes determining an asymmetry between an internal delay of an inbound timing packet in a device and an internal delay of an outbound timing packet in the device and correcting a time synchronization in response to the asymmetry.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention reconstruct an underlying phenomenon without the need for predicting a functional form for that signal, by establishing an upper bound and a lower bound for the value of the phenomenon at every point within a measurement space. By acquiring a large enough number of measurements of the phenomenon, a sufficiently high probability that the value of said phenomenon lies between said upper and said lower bound at every point within said measurement space may be established.

Abstract: A method for designing a measurement/control system that enables a system designer to explicitly specify the portions of a measurement/control system that are subject to a set of time constraints and the portions of the measurement/control system that are not directly subject to the set of time constraints. A method according to the present teachings includes determining an HRT/SRT boundary between a hard real-time (HRT) portion of a measurement/control system and a soft real-time (SRT) portion of the measurement/control system and determining a buffer for the HTR/SRT boundary in response to a set of time constraints associated with the HRT portion.

Abstract: Applications for multiple synchronization domains of a clock synchronization protocol include using multiple synchronization domains to handle the asymmetric delay in message transfer in a dual ring network topology, using multiple synchronization domains to provide a standby synchronization domain, and using multiple synchronization domains to gather information pertaining to the accuracy of master clocks.

Abstract: Techniques for network based triggering in an instrument system that enable instruments to effectively signal events without hardwired trigger lines. An instrument system according to the present teachings includes a first instrument and a second instrument coupled to a local area network. The first instrument is capable of performing an action in response to an event that is signaled by the second instrument. The second instrument signals the event to the first instrument by transferring a trigger message via the local area network.

Abstract: Information that includes both a time component and a value component is collected. The time component provides time and duration information associated with the value component. The value component includes one or more attributes, such as, for example, quantity, magnitude, and model parameters. The information is then transmitted over a connection to one or more downstream entities. The one or more downstream entities may then determine whether to use all or a portion of the collected information.

Abstract: Representative embodiments are directed to distributed sensor systems from which measurement data is extracted using mobile devices. Representative embodiments record access attempts by the mobile devices and calculate the probabilities of future access by a mobile device to sensor devices using the recorded information. Collection points are selected in response to the probabilities of future access. Additionally, memory management and data prioritization may occur that is at least partially dependent upon the probabilities of future access.

Abstract: Techniques for diffusing configuration data to distributed devices whose locations and movements vis-a-vis a measurement/control application may only be estimated statistically. Examples of distributed devices whose locations and movements may only be estimated statistically include handheld devices and devices mounted on vehicles or other moving platforms. A measurement/control system according to the present techniques includes a configuration data source that provides a set of configuration data that specifies a measurement/control function, and a set of distributed devices each having means for obtaining the configuration data from the configuration data source and means for diffusing the configuration data among the distributed devices.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a distributed application with mechanisms that enable communication among remote nodes without a central server or direct communication links among the remote nodes. A distributed application according to the present techniques includes a set of remote nodes that provide a collective store for a set of information pertaining to the distributed application and a set of mobile agents that carry the information among the remote nodes. The data carrier functions provided by the mobile agents help avoid the cost and expense associated with a communication infrastructure and a central server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention separates the region of measurement space into a plurality of sub-regions and calculates a confidence, for reconstruction of an underlying signal within said space, corresponding to each of the sub-regions. This embodiment can then accept measurements from mobile measuring devices within said measurement space and store those measurements if they originate from devices in sub-regions having a confidence below an acceptable value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention reconstruct an underlying phenomenon without the need for predicting a functional form for that signal, by establishing an upper bound and a lower bound for the value of the phenomenon at every point within a measurement space. By acquiring a large enough number of measurements of the phenomenon, a sufficiently high probability that the value of said phenomenon lies between said upper and said lower bound at every point within said measurement space may be established.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to sensor nets from which data is extracted using mobile devices. Sensor devices within the sensor nets record access attempts by mobile devices. Using the recorded access attempts, the probabilities of future access to respective sensor devices are calculated. Collection points are selected using the calculated probabilities. Also, the probabilities of future access are distributed through the sensor nets. Routing of measurement data within the sensor nets may occur using the calculated probabilities.

Abstract: A probe management system is disclosed having a central location for developing experiments and measurement requests for the particular probe system. Instead of issues detailed measurement requests to each of the smart probes in the system, each smart probe determines the measurements to be taken based on the experiment and measurement request. Furthermore, prior to participating in such an experiment the smart probe determines its capabilities to participate and configures itself for such participation if the smart decides to actually participate in the experiment or measurement request.

Abstract: A measurement system comprises at least one mobile measurement device hosting at least a portion of a measurement system model. The mobile measurement device is enabled to evaluate a measurement taken by the mobile measurement device in light of the model for making a determination concerning the measurement, relative to the model. Measurement methods using mobile probes include augmenting the model using the measurements, directing a user of the mobile measurement device to a different location in response to the evaluation of the measurements, refining a location of the mobile measurement device using the model and the measurements, or determining a best mode of use of the mobile measurement device based on the measurements.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that use mobile collectors for accessing a wireless sensor network. In certain embodiments, one or more mobile collectors having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network are deployed for use in accessing the wireless sensor network. Thus, rather than relying on an access technique having certainty designed therein with regard to the access of a wireless sensor network, certain embodiments utilize an access technique that relies on statistical probability for accessing the wireless sensor network. For instance, by deploying a plurality of mobile collectors that are operable for accessing a wireless sensor network, a statistical probability exists that at some point (or at various points in time) at least one of the mobile collectors will travel within range of the wireless sensor network to enable access thereof.