Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a test and measurement device, system, and method for synchronizing measurement views and configuration parameters across multiple input channels or devices. A method includes receiving signals under test associated with multiple input channels of the test and measurement instrument or with multiple devices, selecting a measurement view of one input signal or device, receiving a synchronized view enable preference from a user control interface, and synchronizing the measurement view or configuration parameters of the other signals or devices with what was chosen on the first signal or device. A test and measurement instrument includes input terminals to receive the input signals, a user control interface to receive input from an operator, a display to provide measurement information about the input signals, and a synchronization control unit to synchronize measurement views and/or configuration parameters between the inputs or devices.

Abstract: A video test system is provided with a circular buffer to capture a video input sequence in response to a trigger, and a test generator output to generate a video test sequence based upon the captured video test sequence. The system may be implemented using a single instrument, or a combination of instruments, such as video waveform monitors and video signal generators. A method is also provided for generating video test sequences based upon captured video sequences.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a test and measurement device, system, and method for synchronizing measurement views and configuration parameters across multiple input channels or devices. A method includes receiving signals under test associated with multiple input channels of the test and measurement instrument or with multiple devices, selecting a measurement view of one input signal or device, receiving a synchronized view enable preference from a user control interface, and synchronizing the measurement view or configuration parameters of the other signals or devices with what was chosen on the first signal or device. A test and measurement instrument includes input terminals to receive the input signals, a user control interface to receive input from an operator, a display to provide measurement information about the input signals, and a synchronization control unit to synchronize measurement views and/or configuration parameters between the inputs or devices.

Abstract: A video test system is provided with a circular buffer to capture a video input sequence in response to a trigger, and a test generator output to generate a video test sequence based upon the captured video test sequence. The system may be implemented using a single instrument, or a combination of instruments, such as video waveform monitors and video signal generators. A method is also provided for generating video test sequences based upon captured video sequences.

Abstract: A gamut error false color display uses false coloring on a monochrome image of a video picture being tested. Composite and component gamut error signals are extracted from an input video signal representing the video picture being tested. Such error signals may represent gamut error states corresponding to near out-of-gamut, out-of-gamut high, near out-of-gamut low, out-of-gamut low, etc. A false color display generator has the gamut error signals and a luminance component of the input video signal as inputs and outputs the gamut false color display as the monochrome image with different colors for those pixels in the monochrome image that correspond to the gamut error signals when a gamut error is indicated. Each display component may be tested for gamut errors as well as the video picture as a whole (component or composite). Also either fixed or variable persistence may be used to identify gamut errors over several video pictures in the input video signal.

Abstract: A video field rate persistence is provided for a video waveform display where multiple video components are displayed simultaneously, one component being updated per field interval. A persistence count is assigned to each pixel in a circular field buffer which is divided equally into a number of sub-buffers representing a portion of a display raster, one for each component. The persistence count is updated for each update of the circular field buffer with the pixel values being maintained until the persistence count equals a maximum value, at which point the pixel values for that component are updated with new pixel values. In this manner the display pixels for each component are updated every X video fields and are maintained at their prior values between updates to provide a flicker free display without temporal separation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for equalizing the distribution of pixel intensities in an image displayed by an oscilloscope. In a primarily software implementation, the maximum pixel intensity (I) present in the rasterized input image, the maximum available display intensity (P) and the desired image resolution (R) are the input variables which permit the calculation of thresholds or bins to which each pixel is assigned. By iteratively performing the analysis of existing pixel intensities and bin thresholds, the number of pixels in each bin may be optimized to form an equalized histogram. Another implementation of the histogram equalization system utilizes software to optimize a hardware-based histogram collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rasterizing a digital sample stream by producing histograms for each of a plurality of time slices forming a display frame. Time slice histograms for at least one display frame are stored in a circular memory buffer and provided to a display raster for display. The first time slice displayed optionally comprises that time slice temporally associated with a trigger condition.

Abstract: A gamut error false color display uses false coloring on a monochrome image of a video picture being tested. Composite and component gamut error signals are extracted from an input video signal representing the video picture being tested. Such error signals may represent gamut error states corresponding to near out-of-gamut, out-of-gamut high, near out-of-gamut low, out-of-gamut low, etc. A false color display generator has the gamut error signals and a luminance component of the input video signal as inputs and outputs the gamut false color display as the monochrome image with different colors for those pixels in the monochrome image that correspond to the gamut error signals when a gamut error is indicated. Each display component may be tested for gamut errors as well as the video picture as a whole (component or composite). Also either fixed or variable persistence may be used to identify gamut errors over several video pictures in the input video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rasterizing a digital sample stream by producing histograms for each of a plurality of time slices forming a display frame. Time slice histograms for at least one display frame are stored in a circular memory buffer and provided to a display raster for display. The first time slice displayed optionally comprises that time slice temporally associated with a trigger condition.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for equalizing the distribution of pixel intensities in an image displayed by an oscilloscope. In a primarily software implementation, the maximum pixel intensity (I) present in the rasterized input image, the maximum available display intensity (P) and the desired image resolution (R) are the input variables which permit the calculation of thresholds or bins to which each pixel is assigned. By iteratively performing the analysis of existing pixel intensities and bin thresholds, the number of pixels in each bin may be optimized to form an equalized histogram. Another implementation of the histogram equalization system utilizes software to optimize a hardware-based histogram collector.

Abstract: A new oscilloscope design improves the processing of acquired voltage-versus-time data through the efficient high speed acquisition and rasterization of such data into a form that includes multiple-bits-per-pixel intensity information. The multi-bit-per-pixel variable intensity rasterizer is optimized for maximum throughput and most efficient use of memory bandwidth. In the presence of faltering trigger rates, rasterization interruption provides a high probability of capturing the data associated with the slow triggers. Circuitry is provided to compensate for acquisition time and amplitude non-linearities. Many-bits-per-pixel intensity information is mapped into a fewer-bits-per-pixel format by a controllable transfer function that provides multiple viewing capabilities for the operator. Another mode of operation emphasizes infrequent events over commonly occurring ones using variations in brightness or color.

Abstract: A new oscilloscope design improves the processing of acquired voltage-versus-time data through the efficient high speed acquisition and rasterization of such data into a form that includes multiple-bits-per-pixel intensity information. The multi-bit-per-pixel variable intensity rasterizer is optimized for maximum throughput and most efficient use of memory bandwidth. In the presence of faltering trigger rates, rasterization interruption provides a high probability of capturing the data associated with the slow triggers. Circuitry is provided to compensate for acquisition time and amplitude non-linearities. Many-bits-per-pixel intensity information is mapped into a fewer-bits-per-pixel format by a controllable transfer function that provides multiple viewing capabilities for the operator. Another mode of operation emphasizes infrequent events over commonly occurring ones using variations in brightness or color.

Abstract: A method of analyzing and displaying waveforms by acquiring an electrical signal, converting it into a stream of digital data points, and sequentially storing each data point to a memory device. Then, analyzing each of the data points to detect whether the data point is an anomalous data point outside of a preselected range. Until an anomalous data point is detected, the steps of acquiring, converting, storing, and analyzing data are repeated. Shortly after the anomalous data point is detected, storage of the data points to the memory device is stopped, so that the anomalous data point and adjacent data points are preserved in memory. Then, the anomalous data point is displayed, preferably along with the immediately preceding and succeeding data points.