Abstract: A waveform processing system performs operations that may include identifying a location of a specified bit pattern within a coherently sampled repeating pattern input signal. In some examples, multiple periods of a repeating pattern signal are acquired using coherent sampling techniques such as, for example, coherent interleaved sampling (CIS). In such examples, the sampled waveform may be converted to a binary pattern that can be searched to locate a match to a predetermined or user-specified bit pattern. In one illustrative example, the identified location may be used to display the sampled waveform. In another example, the identified location may be used to measure pattern-dependent jitter of the sampled waveform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a bit error rate. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a data signal by an acquisition unit of a test instrument for a predetermined period of time, and storing the data signal in a memory of the test instrument. A clock signal is recovered from the stored data signal, and in accordance therewith, the stored data signal is sliced into a plurality of data segments of a predetermined length. Each of said data segments is synchronized to a frame or predetermined pattern to determine a bit error rate thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a statistic based upon a persistence data is provided. The method comprises the steps of defining a plurality of slices of data comprising a persistence data and generating a histogram of the data within each of the plurality of slices. A parameter is measured for each of the generated histograms, and the measured parameters are plotted corresponding to each of the generated histograms.

Abstract: A waveform processing system performs operations that may include identifying a location of a specified bit pattern within a coherently sampled repeating pattern input signal. In some examples, multiple periods of a repeating pattern signal are acquired using coherent sampling techniques such as, for example, coherent interleaved sampling (CIS). In such examples, the sampled waveform may be converted to a binary pattern that can be searched to locate a match to a predetermined or user-specified bit pattern. In one illustrative example, the identified location may be used to display the sampled waveform. In another example, the identified location may be used to measure pattern-dependent jitter of the sampled waveform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a statistic based upon a persistence data is provided. The method comprises the steps of defining a plurality of slices of data comprising a persistence data and generating a histogram of the data within each of the plurality of slices. A parameter is measured for each of the generated histograms, and the measured parameters are plotted corresponding to each of the generated histograms.

Abstract: An oscilloscope apparatus for scaling and displaying persistence data using interpolation. The oscilloscope apparatus acquires a waveform and accumulates persistence data of the acquired waveform in a results buffer. The size of the persistence data is selectable by the user. A processor scales the persistence data using an interpolation algorithm to the size of a buffer in the display. The user may select a region of interest within the persistence data for scaling and display. In this manner, the persistence data can be zoomed in/out and centered on the display. The interpolation algorithm may be automatically selected or set by the user from standard, bi-linear, bi-cubic, or super-sampling algorithms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining, configuring and performing a custom processing function in a digital oscilloscope. The custom processing function is programmed by the operator using a programming language. The custom function may be linked/chained with other processing functions using a graphical editor. Although the custom processing function may process data offline as in related art systems, the present invention's custom processing function may be inserted/embedded directly into the data processing stream of the digital oscilloscope, thereby processing the data on-line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a graphical representation of a processing web of an instrument. The method comprises the steps of determining a first processing element of the processing web and placing the first processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web and various inputs to and outputs from the first processing element. The method further comprises the steps of determining a second processing element of the processing web and placing the second processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web, various inputs to and outputs from the second processing element, and a relationship between the second processing element and the first processing element. At least one pin of the first processing element is connected to one pin of the second processing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a graphical representation of a processing web of an instrument. The method comprises the steps of determining a first processing element of the processing web and placing the first processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web and various inputs to and outputs from the first processing element. The method further comprises the steps of determining a second processing element of the processing web and placing the second processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web, various inputs to and outputs from the second processing element, and a relationship between the second processing element and the first processing element. At least one pin of the first processing element is connected to one pin of the second processing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a bit error rate. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a data signal by an acquisition unit of a test instrument for a predetermined period of time, and storing the data signal in a memory of the test instrument. A clock signal is recovered from the stored data signal, and in accordance therewith, the stored data signal is sliced into a plurality of data segments of a predetermined length. Each of said data segments is synchronized to a frame or predetermined pattern to determine a bit error rate thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining, configuring and performing a custom processing function in a digital oscilloscope. The custom processing function is programmed by the operator using a programming language. The custom function may be linked/chained with other processing functions using a graphical editor. Although the custom processing function may process data offline as in related art systems, the present invention's custom processing function may be inserted/embedded directly into the data processing stream of the digital oscilloscope, thereby processing the data on-line.

Abstract: An oscilloscope apparatus for scaling and displaying persistence data using interpolation. The oscilloscope apparatus acquires a waveform and accumulates persistence data of the acquired waveform in a results buffer. The size of the persistence data is selectable by the user. A processor scales the persistence data using an interpolation algorithm to the size of a buffer in the display. The user may select a region of interest within the persistence data for scaling and display. In this manner, the persistence data can be zoomed in/out and centered on the display. The interpolation algorithm may be automatically selected or set by the user from standard, bilinear, bi-cubic, or super-sampling algorithms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a graphical representation of a processing web of an instrument. The method comprises the steps of determining a first processing element of the processing web and placing the first processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web and various inputs to and outputs from the first processing element. The method further comprises the steps of determining a second processing element of the processing web and placing the second processing element in a particular location based at least in part upon its location in said processing web, various inputs to and outputs from the second processing element, and a relationship between the second processing element and the first processing element. At least one pin of the first processing element is connected to one pin of the second processing element.