Abstract: A test and measurement apparatus, system, and method for synchronizing an acquisition or triggering system to a specific burst of interest. The subject apparatus and method triggers on varying energy content of a signal qualified by time in the presence of high-frequency input signal bursts, by using an adjustable pulse width envelope detector, disposed in the signal path of the trigger circuitry, as a digital rectifier or to otherwise process and extract an envelope signal. An RF envelope probe having an analog envelope detector among other suitable components is disclosed. A method is implemented for isolating an interval of interest in a signal under test. An envelope detector circuit produces an envelope signal from the signal. Trigger circuitry receives the envelope signal from the envelope detector, and isolates the interval of interesting in the signal under test using the envelope signal.

Abstract: A test and measurement apparatus, system, and method for synchronizing an acquisition or triggering system to a specific burst of interest. The subject apparatus and method triggers on varying energy content of a signal qualified by time in the presence of high-frequency input signal bursts, by using an adjustable pulse width envelope detector, disposed in the signal path of the trigger circuitry, as a digital rectifier or to otherwise process and extract an envelope signal. An RF envelope probe having an analog envelope detector among other suitable components is disclosed. A method is implemented for isolating an interval of interest in a signal under test. An envelope detector circuit produces an envelope signal from the signal. Trigger circuitry receives the envelope signal from the envelope detector, and isolates the interval of interesting in the signal under test using the envelope signal.

Abstract: A test and measurement apparatus, system, and method for synchronizing an acquisition or triggering system to a specific burst of interest. The subject apparatus and method triggers on varying energy content of a signal qualified by time in the presence of high-frequency input signal bursts, by using an adjustable pulse width envelope detector, disposed in the signal path of the trigger circuitry, as a digital rectifier or to otherwise process and extract an envelope signal. An RF envelope probe having an analog envelope detector among other suitable components is disclosed. A method is implemented for isolating an interval of interest in a signal under test. An envelope detector circuit produces an envelope signal from the signal. Trigger circuitry receives the envelope signal from the envelope detector, and isolates the interval of interesting in the signal under test using the envelope signal.

Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes a pattern detector for detecting a beginning sequence in a signal under test (SUT), and generates a synchronization signal. In response to the synchronization signal, a memory outputs a reference test pattern. A symbol comparator compares the reference test pattern with the SUT. The symbol comparator can produce a symbol error rate. One or more 8b to 10b converters receives the SUT from the input and the digitized data from the memory, and converts the data from an 8b coded format to a 10b coded format. A bit comparator compares the 10b coded reference test pattern with the 10b coded SUT in response to the symbol comparator. The bit comparator is coupled to a bit error counter, which produces a bit error rate independent of any disparity errors that may be present in the incoming digitized data received by the test and measurement instrument.

Abstract: A blanking primitive masking circuit has a detection and handling circuit that receives data containing blanking primitives. The detection and handling circuit generates a dynamic blanking signal when blanking primitives are detected. The received data is delayed and provided to a pattern detector that generates a synchronization signal provided to a memory and a phase sync signal provided to the detection and handling circuit and to a comparator. The comparator receives reference data from the memory, the delayed data, and the dynamic blanking signal. The comparator compares the reference data with the delayed data and generates bit error outputs from mismatched reference data bits and delayed data bits when the dynamic blanking signal from the detection and handling circuit is absent and suppressing the generation bit error outputs when the blanking primitive are in the delay data and the dynamic blanking signal is present.

Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes a pattern detector for detecting a beginning sequence in a signal under test (SUT), and generates a synchronization signal. In response to the synchronization signal, a memory outputs a reference test pattern. A symbol comparator compares the reference test pattern with the SUT. The symbol comparator can produce a symbol error rate. One or more 8b to 10b converters receives the SUT from the input and the digitized data from the memory, and converts the data from an 8b coded format to a 10b coded format. A bit comparator compares the 10b coded reference test pattern with the 10b coded SUT in response to the symbol comparator. The bit comparator is coupled to a bit error counter, which produces a bit error rate independent of any disparity errors that may be present in the incoming digitized data received by the test and measurement instrument.

Abstract: A blanking primitive masking circuit has a detection and handling circuit that receives data containing blanking primitives. The detection and handling circuit generates a dynamic blanking signal when blanking primitives are detected. The received data is delayed and provided to a pattern detector that generates a synchronization signal provided to a memory and a phase sync signal provided to the detection and handling circuit and to a comparator. The comparator receives reference data from the memory, the delayed data, and the dynamic blanking signal. The comparator compares the reference data with the delayed data and generates bit error outputs from mismatched reference data bits and delayed data bits when the dynamic blanking signal from the detection and handling circuit is absent and suppressing the generation bit error outputs when the blanking primitive are in the delay data and the dynamic blanking signal is present.

Abstract: A measurement system including a plurality of test and measurement instruments; and a hub coupled to each of the test and measurement instruments. Each of the test and measurement instruments is configured to trigger an acquisition in response to a hub event received from the hub. Acquisitions can be triggered from one, some, any, or all of the test and measurement instruments.