Signal analyzer and method for signal analysis

• US 7,759,925 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Nara, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hoai-An D
• Application Number:
  US11/781,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 324/76.19, 324/76.12, 324/76.11, 702/1, 702/57, 702/66, 702/67, 702/68, 702/71, 702/127, 702/189
• US Class Current: 324/76.19
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/0254 for triggering, synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/0263 for non-recurrent functions, e.g. transients

Abstract

A signal analyzer repetitively memorizes waveform data of a signal under test to detect peaks P1-P6 of the waveform data. Waveform widths of the waveform data at a mask reference level, or a predetermined level down from the respective peaks, are evaluated as mask reference widths and then masks of the respective peaks are set using the mask reference level and mask reference widths. Hence the masks are automatically set, so a user can easily obtain time domain data and/or frequency domain data including characterizing portions in the signal under test.

Claims

1. A signal analyzer comprising:

a memory to repetitively store waveform data concerning a signal under test;

a peak detector to detect the peaks of the waveform data;

means for determining the reference widths by evaluating waveform widths of the waveform data at a mask reference level down from the respective peaks by a predetermined level; and

means for setting masks at the respective peaks using the mask reference level and mask reference widths, wherein the setting means adjusts the mask widths relative to the mask reference width and adjusts the mask level relative to the mask reference level.

2. The signal analyzer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a peak frequency condition control to enable a peak frequency condition to be set, wherein the setting means only sets masks corresponding to peaks satisfying the peak frequency condition.

3. The signal analyzer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mask selection interface, wherein a mask of the set masks is selectively turned off.

4. The signal analyzer as recited in claim 2, further comprising a mask selection interface, wherein a mask of the set masks is selectively turned off.

5. A method for creating trigger masks for a signal analyzer comprising:

storing waveform data concerning a signal under test repetitively;

detecting peaks of the waveform data;

detecting mask reference widths by evaluating waveform widths of the waveform data at a mask reference level down from the respective peaks by a predetermined level; and

setting masks at the respective peaks using the mask reference level and mask reference widths, wherein the step of setting masks further includes a step of adjusting the mask widths relative to the mask reference width and adjusting the mask level relative to the mask reference level.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

setting a peak frequency condition; and

setting only masks corresponding to peaks satisfying the peak frequency condition.

7. A computer readable storage medium, tangibly embodying a computer program to provide instructions executable by a computer to perform the method steps of:

storing waveform data concerning a signal under test repetitively;

detecting peaks of the waveform data;

detecting mask reference widths by evaluating waveform widths of the waveform data at a mask reference level down from the respective peaks by a predetermined level; and

setting masks at the respective peaks using the mask reference level and mask reference widths, wherein the step of setting masks further includes a step of adjusting the mask widths relative to the mask reference width and adjusting the mask level relative to the mask reference level.

8. The computer readable storage medium, as recited in claim 7, further comprising instruction executable by a computer to perform the further steps of:

setting a peak frequency condition; and

setting only masks corresponding to peaks satisfying the peak frequency condition.