National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
In a measurement system, a signal probing circuit may provide probed signals by probing voltages and currents and/or incident and reflected waves at a port of a device under test (DUT). A multi-channel receiver structure may include receivers that receive two probed signals from the signal probing hardware circuit, each receiver having its own sample clock derived from a master clock and further having a respective digitizer for digitizing a corresponding one of the two probed signals. A synchronization block, external to the receivers and including a reference clock derived from the master clock, may enable the two probed signals to be phase coherently digitized across the receivers by synchronizing the respective sample clocks of the receivers while the reference clock is being shared with the receivers. A signal processing circuit may then process the phase coherently digitized probed signals.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a measurement system (100) for determining voltage and current or incident and reflected wave at at least one port of a device under test (OUT). The OUT is excited by at least one modulated signal. The measurement system comprises : - at least one signal probing hardware circuit (30) configured to provide probed signals resulting from probing at a port of the OUT while allowing a signal to flow towards the OUT or while arranged to provide a termination to the OUT, one or more of voltage and current or incident and reflected wave, - a multi-channel receiver structure (62) comprising a plurality of receivers (64), configured to receive two probed signals coming from at least one of the signal probing hardware circuits, each of the plurality of receivers comprising a respective digitizer (66) for digitizing a corresponding one of the two probed signals, the respective digitizer having its own sample clock (67) derived from a master clock, - a synchronization block (80) external to the plurality of receivers and comprising a reference clock derived from the master clock, the synchronization block configured to enable the two probed signals to be phase coherently digitized across the plurality of receivers by synchronizing the respective sample clocks of the plurality of receivers while the reference clock is being shared with the plurality of receivers, - a signal processing circuit (90) configured to process the phase coherently digitized probed signals.
G01R 31/3193 - Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits with comparison between actual response and known fault-free response
G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
3.
Measurement system for characterizing a device under test
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
In a measurement system, a signal probing circuit may provide probed signals by probing voltages and currents and/or incident and reflected waves at a port of a device under test (DUT). A multi-channel receiver structure may include receivers that receive two probed signals from the signal probing hardware circuit, each receiver having its own sample clock derived from a master clock and further having a respective digitizer for digitizing a corresponding one of the two probed signals. A synchronization block, external to the receivers and including a reference clock derived from the master clock, may enable the two probed signals to be phase coherently digitized across the receivers by synchronizing the respective sample clocks of the receivers while the reference clock is being shared with the receivers. A signal processing circuit may then process the phase coherently digitized probed signals.
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
impedance tuning means arranged for receiving the at least one parameter, for synthesizing an impedance based on the received at least one parameter and for outputting the synthesized impedance to a device under test.
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
gating means for gating said first plurality of phase coherent tones by said second plurality of phase-coherent tones, such that the phase-coherent tones of said second signal path appear in a distorted version around tones of said plurality of phase-coherent tone of said first signal path, and for outputting a resulting gated signal.
H03D 3/18 - Demodulation of angle-modulated oscillations by detecting phase difference between two signals obtained from input signal by means of synchronous gating arrangements
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for characterizing at a given frequency reflected waves of a frequency translating device having at least two ports, whereby information is available on the phase of a local oscillator driving the frequency translating device. The method comprises the steps of—applying at the at least two ports at least a tone at said given frequency and tones at said given frequency offset by the local oscillator signal frequency,—rotating the phase of the applied tone at said given frequency or exploiting a phase rotation of the local oscillator signal,—measuring at said given frequency amplitude and phase of reflected waves at the at least two ports and measuring at said given frequency and at said given frequency offset by the frequency of the local oscillator signal amplitude and phase of incident waves at the at least two ports,—determining parameters for a model of the frequency translating device by relating the amplitude and phase of the reflected waves to the incident waves, taking into account at least the local oscillator signal phase.
G01R 27/32 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response in circuits having distributed constants
H03D 7/00 - Transference of modulation from one carrier to another, e.g. frequency-changing
G01R 23/00 - Arrangements for measuring frequenciesArrangements for analysing frequency spectra
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for impedance generation comprising - impedance generation means arranged for receiving an input clock signal and for generating at least one parameter at a frequency derived from the input clock signal, - impedance tuning means arranged for receiving the at least one parameter, for synthesizing an impedance based on the received at least one parameter and for outputting the synthesized impedance to a device under test.
G01R 27/04 - Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant in circuits having distributed constants
8.
Measurement and system for performing a calibration
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Pailloncy, Guillaume
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Verbeyst, Frans
Abstract
determining at least phase-related information for calibration coefficients at the given set of calibration tones by calculating a phase deviation of the measured phase from the known phase value of the at least one tone.
G01R 27/02 - Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant
G01R 25/00 - Arrangements for measuring phase angle between a voltage and a current or between voltages or currents
G01R 23/00 - Arrangements for measuring frequenciesArrangements for analysing frequency spectra
G01R 35/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus covered by the other groups of this subclass
H04B 17/21 - MonitoringTesting of receivers for calibrationMonitoringTesting of receivers for correcting measurements
G01N 27/64 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosolsInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode using wave or particle radiation to ionise a gas, e.g. in an ionisation chamber
G01N 27/62 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosolsInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
9.
Measurement system for characterising a device under test
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
10.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING AND SYNCHRONIZING A RECEIVER
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for calibrating and for synchronizing a receiver. The system is arranged for receiving a reference clock signal in a first and a second signal path and comprises - generator means for generating in the first signal path a first plurality of phase coherent tones derived from said reference clock signal and for generating in the second signal path a second plurality of phase coherent tones derived from said reference clock signal, said second plurality of phase-coherent tones being at lower frequencies than said first plurality of phase-coherent tones, and - gating means for gating said first plurality of phase coherent tones by said second plurality of phase- coherent tones, such that the phase-coherent tones of said second signal path appear in a distorted version around tones of said plurality of phase-coherent tone of said first signal path, and for outputting a resulting gated signal.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
An impedance control device for tuning a device under test comprising: a first terminal port arranged for connecting a device under test, a second terminal port arranged for connecting a termination, a first signal path for a signal travelling between the first and the second terminal port, first coupling means arranged for picking up a part of the signal travelling in the first signal path, a second signal path arranged for receiving the part of the signal from the first coupling means, said second signal path comprising a correction circuit for adapting as a function of frequency the amplitude and phase of the received part of the signal, second coupling means arranged for coupling back into the first signal path an adapted signal outputted by the correction circuit, and an attenuator and phase shifter for applying attenuation and phase shifting on the signals travelling between the first and the second terminal port.
G01R 31/319 - Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits
G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
12.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERISING A FREQUENCY TRANSLATING DEVICE
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for characterizing at a given frequency reflected waves of a frequency translating device having at least two ports, whereby information is available on the phase of a local oscillator driving the frequency translating device. The method comprises the steps of - applying at the at least two ports at least a tone at said given frequency and tones at said given frequency offset by the local oscillator signal frequency, - rotating the phase of the applied tone at said given frequency or exploiting a phase rotation of the local oscillator signal, - measuring at said given frequency amplitude and phase of reflected waves at the at least two ports and measuring at said given frequency and at said given frequency offset by the frequency of the local oscillator signal amplitude and phase of incident waves at the at least two ports, - determining parameters for a model of the frequency translating device by relating the amplitude and phase of the reflected waves to the incident waves, taking into account at least the local oscillator signal phase.
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Pailloncy, Guillaume
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Verbeyst, Frans
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for calibrating a receiver device or a stimulus-response system comprising a receiver device. The method comprises the steps of generating at least one tone with a repeatable and known phase value, said at least one tone being stepped in frequency to cover a given set of calibration tones, and applying the at least one tone to the receiver device or to the stimulus-response system, generating a reference signal, which is phase-coherent with the at least one tone, to measure in a phase-coherent way with the receiver device or with the stimulus-response system the at least one tone, measuring at least the phase of the at least one tone using the receiver device or the stimulus-response system, determining at least phase-related information for calibration coefficients at the given set of calibration tones by calculating a phase deviation of the measured phase from the known phase value of the at least one tone.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention relates to a measurement system for characterising a device under test (DUT) wherein impedance is controlled or varied over a set of measurement conditions and a parameter or a set of parameters measured for each measurement condition. The measurement system comprises - at least one impedance control device, - signal separation hardware connected with the impedance control device, - receiving means for measuring electrical quantities related to characteristics of the DUT and for converting the measured electrical quantities, - a data processing unit connected to the receiving means and adapted to provide characteristics of the device under test based on the converted electrical quantities, whereby the at least one impedance control device is integrated into the signal separation hardware.
G01R 27/32 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response in circuits having distributed constants
G01R 31/28 - Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
H01P 5/04 - Coupling devices of the waveguide type with variable factor of coupling
15.
System and method for representing a multi-tone signal
National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited (Ireland)
Inventor
Vanden Bossche, Marc
Abstract
The present invention is related to a system (1) for determining a representation of a multi-tone signal (2) comprising a plurality of phase coherent tones, at least two of said phase coherent tones being modulated by a modulating signal, said system comprising an input (3) for applying the multi-tone signal (2), phase coherent mixing means (5) for demodulation in connection with data acquisition means (6) for digitization, said mixing means and data acquisition means arranged for being fed with the multi-tone signal and with a reference signal (8) comprising said phase coherent tones, each pair of phase coherent tones having a fixed phase difference, whereby the data acquisition means is arranged for being triggered by a trigger signal (4) for yielding a representation of said modulation signals with fixed delay, processing means (7) arranged for receiving digital signals output from the data acquisition means and for comparing phase information of a downconverted tone of the multi-tone signal after demodulation with phase information derived from the corresponding tone of the demodulated reference signal and further arranged for controlling the phase coherent mixing means for sequential downconversion, such that a representation of said multi-tone signal can be determined.
G01R 13/02 - Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms for displaying measured electric variables in digital form
G01R 27/28 - Measuring attenuation, gain, phase shift, or derived characteristics of electric four-pole networks, i.e. two-port networksMeasuring transient response
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IRELAND RESOURCES LIMITED (Ireland)
Inventor
Bossche, Marc Vanden
Abstract
A measurement system for determining at least one characteristic of a device under test (DUT) at at least one frequency is described. The measurement system includes a network analyzer being in connection at least with a first source via a first connector and a second source via a second connector. Each source generates a signal. The network analyzer further includes signal paths arranged for applying the generated signals to the DUT and arranged for receiving signals output by the DUT. The frequency content of the signal generated by the second source includes at least a frequency component offset from the at least one frequency at which the DUT is characterized, the at least one frequency being included in the frequency content of the signal generated by the first source.
