Patents by Inventor Richard A. Booman

Richard A. Booman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170248631
    Abstract: A probe or accessory for use with an electrical test and measurement instrument can include an input to receive an input signal from a device under test (DUT), a clamp control unit or oscilloscope to apply a clamping/limiting level to the input signal to generate an output signal, and/or a control unit output port to provide the clamped/limited output signal to an oscilloscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman, Wayne M. Wilburn
  • Publication number: 20170248653
    Abstract: A sensor head of a test and measurement instrument can include an input configured to receive an input signal from a device under test (DUT), an optical voltage sensor having signal input electrodes and control electrodes or one set of electrodes, wherein the input is connected to the signal input electrodes, and a bias control unit connected to the control electrodes and configured to reduce an error signal or the input signal bias control signal are electrically combined and applied to a single set of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 9625495
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a probe for use with a test and measurement instrument. The probe includes a digital multimeter or voltmeter with an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure a signal from a device under test and determine a digital measurement from the signal, a controller connected to the multimeter or voltmeter configured to receive the digital measurement from the multimeter or voltmeter, a digital communication interface connected to the controller configured to communicate with the controller, and a communication link connected to the digital communication interface and the analog signal interface to communicate with the test and measurement instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 9557399
    Abstract: A test and measurement system including a device under test, an accessory, a controller and a test and measurement instrument. The accessory is connected to the device under test and includes a signal input to receive an input signal from the device under test, a compensation unit configured to apply a compensation signal internal to the accessory, and a signal output to output an output signal read from the device under test. The controller is connected to the accessory and includes one or more receivers to receive the input signal and the output signal from the accessory, and a microcontroller or correction circuit configured to compare the input signal and the output signal and in response to the comparison provide a compensation signal to the compensation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20160363833
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator of a test and measurement system. The electro-optic modulator includes a first electrode, a second electrode with identical electrical characteristics as the first electrode and an optical waveguide between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode present a balanced load to a device under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20160349287
    Abstract: A test and measurement system including an electro-optical accessory with an electro-optical sensor configured to output a modulated output signal, a device under test connected to the electro-optical accessory with a variable input signal, and a processor. The electro-optical accessory includes two sets of electrodes in which a sensitivity of the first set of electrodes is different from a sensitivity of the second set of electrodes. The processor in the test and measurement system is configured to modify the modulated output signal from the electro-optical voltage accessory to reconstruct the variable input signal of the electro-optical voltage accessory that exceeds the linear input range of the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 9476960
    Abstract: An accessory for use with a test and measurement instrument. The accessory includes an input to receive a signal from a device under test, a calibration unit configured to apply a calibration or compensation signal internal to the accessory, and an output to output the signal from the device under test or the calibration or compensation signal to a test and measurement instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 9331776
    Abstract: A test and measurement system including an electro-optical voltage accessory with an electro-optical sensor configured to output a modulated output signal, a device under test connected to the electro-optical voltage accessory with a variable input signal that exceeds a linear input range of the optical sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to modify the modulated output signal from the electro-optical voltage accessory to reconstruct the variable input signal of the electro-optical voltage accessory that exceeds the linear input range of the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20160047842
    Abstract: A signal acquisition probe stores compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples representing at least one of an impulse response or step response characterizing the signal acquisition probe. The compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples of the impulse response or the step response are provided to a signal measurement instrument for compensating the signal measurement instrument for the impulse or step response of the signal measurement instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Richard A. Booman, John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 9209593
    Abstract: A method of controlling the gain or sensitivity of a test and measurement system. The test and measurement system includes a host, a controller with an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, optical-to-electrical converter, an accessory head, and a device under test. The method includes determining whether a gain or sensitivity adjustment of the test and measurement system is required, determining the amount of gain or sensitivity adjustment, and adjusting the output power of a laser of the optical transmitter in response to the determination of the gain or sensitivity adjustment of the test and measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 9140723
    Abstract: A signal acquisition probe stores compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples representing at least one of an impulse response or step response characterizing the signal acquisition probe. The compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples of the impulse response or the step response are provided to a signal measurement instrument for compensating the signal measurement instrument for the impulse or step response of the signal measurement instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Booman, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20150241543
    Abstract: A test and measurement system including a device under test, an accessory, a controller and a test and measurement instrument. The accessory is connected to the device under test and includes a signal input to receive an input signal from the device under test, a compensation unit configured to apply a compensation signal internal to the accessory, and a signal output to output an output signal read from the device under test. The controller is connected to the accessory and includes one or more receivers to receive the input signal and the output signal from the accessory, and a microcontroller or correction circuit configured to compare the input signal and the output signal and in response to the comparison provide a compensation signal to the compensation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20150171960
    Abstract: A test and measurement system including an electro-optical voltage accessory with an electro-optical sensor configured to output a modulated output signal, a device under test connected to the electro-optical voltage accessory with a variable input signal that exceeds a linear input range of the optical sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to modify the modulated output signal from the electro-optical voltage accessory to reconstruct the variable input signal of the electro-optical voltage accessory that exceeds the linear input range of the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20150168530
    Abstract: An accessory for use with a test and measurement instrument. The accessory includes an input to receive a signal from a device under test, a calibration unit configured to apply a calibration or compensation signal internal to the accessory, and an output to output the signal from the device under test or the calibration or compensation signal to a test and measurement instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20150171589
    Abstract: A method of controlling the gain or sensitivity of a test and measurement system. The test and measurement system includes a host, a controller with an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, optical-to-electrical converter, an accessory head, and a device under test. The method includes determining whether a gain or sensitivity adjustment of the test and measurement system is required, determining the amount of gain or sensitivity adjustment, and adjusting the output power of a laser of the optical transmitter in response to the determination of the gain or sensitivity adjustment of the test and measurement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20150054492
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a probe for use with a test and measurement instrument. The probe includes a digital multimeter or voltmeter with an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure a signal from a device under test and determine a digital measurement from the signal, a controller connected to the multimeter or voltmeter configured to receive the digital measurement from the multimeter or voltmeter, a digital communication interface connected to the controller configured to communicate with the controller, and a communication link connected to the digital communication interface and the analog signal interface to communicate with the test and measurement instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mende, Richard A. Booman
  • Patent number: 8963568
    Abstract: The resistive probing tip system has one or more carriers and one or more electrical contact assemblies. Each carrier has opposing surfaces with a plurality of resistors engaging the carrier. Each of the plurality of resistors has opposing electrical contacts that are exposed at respective opposing surfaces of the carrier. Each electrical contact assembly has opposing surfaces with electrical contacts exposed at the opposing surfaces with each electrical contact exposed on one surface coupled to a corresponding electrical contact on the other opposing surface. The carrier(s) and the electrical contact assembly(s) selectively mate to and mate from one another with the electrical contacts exposed at the opposing surfaces the carrier(s) and the electrical contact assembly(s) contacting one another. The carrier(s) and/or the electrical contact assembly(s) may be selectively secured to either of a circuit board or a probe head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Booman, Neil C. Clayton, Bruce C. Tollbom
  • Patent number: 8714988
    Abstract: A connector has a housing with an aperture formed therein having one portion larger than the other portion. The housing is mounted on the device under test with the housing positioned over a plurality of electrical contacts. An electrical load is positioned within the larger aperture of the housing and has a plurality of resistors disposed adjacent to an electrical contact assembly. A resilient member is positioned between the electrical load and the device under test such that a force directed on the electrical load compresses the resilient member to allow contact between a plurality of electrical contacts of the electrical contact assembly and the plurality of the electrical contacts on the device under test. Removing the force decompresses the resilient member and disconnects the plurality of contacts of the electrical contact assembly from the plurality of electrical contacts of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl A. Rinder, Neil C. Clayton, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20140120777
    Abstract: A connector has a housing with an aperture formed therein having one portion larger than the other portion. The housing is mounted on the device under test with the housing positioned over a plurality of electrical contacts. An electrical load is positioned within the larger aperture of the housing and has a plurality of resistors disposed adjacent to an electrical contact assembly. A resilient member is positioned between the electrical load and the device under test such that a force directed on the electrical load compresses the resilient member to allow contact between a plurality of electrical contacts of the electrical contact assembly and the plurality of the electrical contacts on the device under test. Removing the force decompresses the resilient member and disconnects the plurality of contacts of the electrical contact assembly from the plurality of electrical contacts of the device under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: TEKTROINIX, INC.
    Inventors: Karl A. Rinder, Neil C. Clayton, Richard A. Booman
  • Publication number: 20120084036
    Abstract: A signal acquisition probe stores compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples representing at least one of an impulse response or step response characterizing the signal acquisition probe. The compressed or compressed and filtered time domain data samples of the impulse response or the step response are provided to a signal measurement instrument for compensating the signal measurement instrument for the impulse or step response of the signal measurement instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Booman, John J. Pickerd