CN102170315B - Frequency domain bitmap triggers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to frequency domain bitmap to trigger.A kind of RF test and measuring equipment, comprise the front end for receiving time varying signal and the Run-time engine for generating digital frequency domain frequency spectrum based on described time varying signal.Described equipment also comprises the memory sub-system comprising frequency domain bitmap, and described frequency domain bitmap is by sequentially receiving and storing digital frequency domain frequency spectrum to upgrade.Described Run-time engine is further configured to the generation for characteristics of signals and monitors frequency domain bitmap, and in response to the detection of characteristics of signals, makes to be captured by time varying signal in the memory cell of RF test and measuring equipment.

Description

Frequency domain bitmap triggers

The cross reference of related application

This application claims the exercise question submitted on March 13rd, 2009 is " FrequencyDomainBitmapTriggering (frequency domain bitmap triggering) ", application number is 61/160, the priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of 209, and integrally incorporated herein by reference for all objects.

Technical field

The present invention relates to frequency domain bitmap to trigger.

Background technology

There is multiple test and measuring equipment for together with radiofrequency signal.In many cases, these equipment comprise the parts providing process in real time and other function that (occur) occurs when time varying signal is received, and perform other parts of off-line (off-line) function, the following characteristics analysis such as occurred after signal event is captured and stores.

Frequent use triggering method controls test and measures operation.Such as, when discovery and lock-on signal event supply research subsequently, signal capture can be carried out based on the triggering activated when signal specific characteristic is detected.Use this triggering may be potential interested signal by only catching and save computational resource.

Although triggering existing in many cases can be competent at, there is the multiple common signal situation that effectively cannot detect with existing triggering.In addition, the method for existing many triggerings is accurate not, and limits the ability that user specifically specifies interested signal event.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 schematically describes test according to this specification and measuring system.

Fig. 2 and 3 schematically describes exemplary frequency spectrum bitmap.

Fig. 4 shows and keeps frequency spectrum bitmap and perform the illustrative methods triggered in response to data bitmap.

Fig. 5 shows exemplary frequency spectrum bitmap, comprises two zoness of different that can cause different waveform generality (prevalence)/density.

Fig. 6-8 shows exemplary frequency spectrum bitmap, and it has the bitmap sample differently relevant to reference signal event.

Fig. 9 schematically describes the various bitmap that can use together with the system and method for this specification.

Figure 10 shows the user interface system and method that trigger for establishment frequency spectrum bitmap.

Embodiment

With reference now to Fig. 1, this Figure illustrates the signal measurement according to this specification and test macro 20.System 20 comprises for receiving time varying signal 24 and the front end 22 for optionally performing various process operation to input signal.Optional process can comprise (down-conversion) such as filtering, mixing, down-conversions.As noted, optional feature 26 can be used to input signal to be transformed to digital form, and performs extraction (decimation) operation, and/or carries out the correction of phase place and amplitude.The configuration described is exemplary, and those skilled in the art are to be understood that its layout multiple also can be used.

At node 28 place of signal path, (one or more) signal as time varying signal 24 the version through digitized processing and exist.It is applied to again Run-time engine processing block 30.Block 30 is especially configured to repeat to generate digital frequency domain frequency spectrum (digitalfrequencydomainspectrum) 31 based on time varying signal 24.The digital frequency transposition technology of any number (comprising chirp-z, FFT and variable-length FFT) can be used to perform frequency spectrum generate.

System 20 also comprises memory sub-system 32, and it is operationally coupled (as by bus) in front-end block and real-time block 30.Further, system 20 also typically comprises display subsystem 34 and processing subsystem 36.As discussed further below, memory sub-system 32 can providing package containing the data storage of frequency domain bitmap be made up of frequency spectrum 31.The memory cell 38 that system 20 also can comprise physically or logically be separated, it can be used to store the signal that will stand detailed off-line analysis.

Usually, memory sub-system 32 is configured to provide memory space so that the real-time function of back-up system 20.Such as, when frequency domain conversion and other real-time operation perform at block 30 place, a part of time varying signal 24 typically retains in memory.The reason retained a part of time varying signal is captured and broadly carries out off-line analysis, such as, use process operation, and this process operation is than more intensive and more cost source performed during in real time process.Reserve a part of time varying signal by this way can be referred to as " analysis is caught ".This reserving typically is carried out in response to the detection of trigger event, as being explained in more detail hereinafter.

By combining the processed offline that in real time process and selectivity trigger, can make to measure and test operation more effectively, and the computational resource of deficiency only has and just uses when needed.With regard to certain meaning, real-time block 30 is used as screening (screening) instrument, for decision making to when performing more comprehensively to analyze and to which specific data should perform.Further, by the repetition test eliminated with catch interested data and be associated, and/or catch and screen by eliminating the needs that data original or treated in a large number find interested signal, triggering can provide basic efficiency for user.

Forward Fig. 2 to now, the storage of frequency domain information will come into question.Especially, in many examples in this article, frequency domain data is stored in bitmap structure 40, wherein expresses the power level information of quantification according to frequency.Typically, the information from multiple digital frequency domain frequency spectrum 31 will be added up in (accumulate) carry graph data structure.In fact, in many example embodiment, by repeatedly continuous application digital frequency domain frequency spectrum (along with they are generated by block 30), bitmap structure 40 is upgraded and increment (increment).

Described bitmap typically uses high transformation rate (transformrate) to generate, and this high transformation rate is desired during promote the detection of not frequent event many are arranged.Although be expect for event detection, two-forty often for too fast the display device of display bitmap data or the equipment that uses together with subsystem 34, and will exceed the energy perception of human eye institute usually.Therefore, Input transformation is write into database at full speed, is then sent to screen with visual speed (viewablerate).Such as, show and driven by one second sampling database 10,20,30 or 60 times.These are only examples,---other frame rate also can be used.

As bitmap herein demonstrated, bitmap structure can think by frequency spectrum graphics is divided into represent trace amplitude (traceamplitude) (power) value row and frequency axis on point and the grid (grid) that creates of the row of scope.Each unit in grid comprises the counting that it is transfused to frequency spectrum hit (hit) how many times.By following the tracks of these countings, system can realize proportionality (proportionality) and visually distinguish uncommon transient state (raretransient) and normal signal and background noise to allow user.The bitmap that reader is to be understood that herein provides the illustrative example of simplification, and the practical embodiments being stored in (one or more) database in memory sub-system 32 will probably comprise hundreds of columns and rows.

The comparison of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows the frequency translation of individual digit territory and many this relations between to transform in data bitmap storehouse cumulative.Also do not add up about Fig. 2, the bitmap which show single frequency conversion represents, and indicates the power level of the conversion of each frequency in range of interest.More specifically, Fig. 2 shows and may what comprise at single frequency spectrum mapped (map) to bitmap unit after wherein.Blank cell comprises null value, means and does not also fall into wherein from the point of frequency spectrum.

But as time goes by, when taking the different sampling of this time varying signal, each frequency spectrum all will change, and produce different frequencies and performance number.The bitmap of Fig. 3 represents that 42 illustrate the bitmap upgrading (increment) in this bitmap by applying and store 9 different digital frequency domain conversion.More specifically, the bitmap of Fig. 3 comprises the data from frequency spectrum shown in Fig. 2, and with the addition of 8 additional frequency spectrum.The frequency spectrum essence being applied to this bitmap is such, and for each frequency spectrum, some amplitude/power value represents each value along frequency axis, even if it is background noise or other baseline values, or or even reserves the value representing " Null Spot ".In fact, in the example in figure 3, one of frequency spectrum be when the time varying signal of this arrival does not exist generate, as under background noise by string " 1 " reflect.

In some cases, in order to provide the enhancing visual representation of data, it is desirable to the value (occurrencevalue) occurred to be mapped as colour code.Such as, color map below can be used for the example of above-described 9 frequency spectrums:

The number occurred	Color
		0	Black
1	Blue
		2	Light blue
3	Blue or green
		4	Bluish-green
5	Green
		6	Yellow
7	Orange
		8	Blood orange
9	Red

In this example, such as red, orange etc. warm colour is for representing higher generation number.This is only example---other many brightness degrees (intensity-grading) scheme multiple can be used.

Bitmap hit count adds up usually in time.It is fast that the speed ratio display system arrived at due to frequency spectrum can process usually, so perform next operation on bitmap before, " frame " of frequency spectrum (such as, thousands of frequency spectrum) is accumulated in this bitmap.Such as, in one embodiment, per second have 48, and 000 spectrum application is in this data bitmap storehouse.Utilize the frame rate of about 33 times per second, as a result, there are about 1400 frequency spectrums to be applied to this data bitmap storehouse during each display frame.In another embodiment, generation per second 292,000 conversion, and use the frame rate of 20Hz, make each display frame have about 15,000 frequency spectrum is applied to this bitmap.

Under any circumstance, complete frame and its enumeration data is also sent to next process together, its count value then can be dropped or retain.Keep this count value can be called as lasting (persistence) from a frame to next frame.When adopting lasting, the existing counting in holding position chart database, and the power/frequency value newly to frequency spectrum is added to carry out increment to this counting, instead of restart simply to count and replace them by the value from nearest frame.

Continuing of dissimilar or degree can be combined with by the storage of the frequency spectrum data of bitmapped (bitmapped) and display.Such as, " infinitely lasting " refers to the whole stored counts kept from each frame to next frame, and is added on existing counting by each frame subsequently.On the other hand, " Variable continuous " refers to and is kept to less than whole counting, and it can realize in every way, such as, by counting being reduced the fixed fraction (fixedfraction) of each continuous display frame.

Illustrate that a situation that is lasting and potential utility only occurs once unusual signal during the observation cycle.Suppose, although only exist once, all 1465 frequency spectrums that this signal is but present in frame upgrade.Hypothesis uses Variable continuous scheme again, and its Bitmap counts every frame decrement 25%.In this example, in bitmap, affected unit will to be worth 1465 for starting, and by when carrying out sampling to show initial frame at contraposition chart database to full capacity (full-force) show this affected unit.After one frame, the occurrence value in affected unit by decrement 25%, to 1099.After another frame, they by decrement to 824, then more and more less, until they become very dull to such an extent as to can't see.On screen, bright trace shows preliminary with the spike under this signal frequency.When successive frame is sent on display, the part of the shown frequency spectrum that this signal occurs will disappear (such as, representing low-density color by decaying and/or changing into).Meanwhile, the pixel under noise level will start to brighten under deamplification.Finally, only baseline trace will appear at background noise place.

Above-described spectrum measurement system and method can provide many advantages in various setting.With two-forty, the sample conversion from time varying signal is become frequency spectrum trace, thus only have little between waveform upgrades or there is no dead time (deadtime).In addition, this frequency spectrum trace is fed to the data bitmap storehouse can implemented with adjustable parameter, to improve the visibility of signal event.As mentioned above, can implement in every way to continue, and utilize the various brightness degree relevant with bitmap and Color scheme, the waveform generality in frequency spectrum different piece can be reflected in display.

Reader is appreciated that principle easily extensible of the present invention is to be applicable to analog frequency domain frequency spectrum.In this case, can sample to analog spectrum and process, to generate the bitmap data structure repeating to upgrade.Although the details of this scheme may change, general effect will provide the digitized version of analog spectrum.Therefore, in order to the object of this discussion, analog spectrum will produce the multiple digital frequency domain frequency spectrums (by conversion) being repeatedly applied to updated space chart database.

In many cases, will desirably not only observe one or more signal specific event, also perform the adjacent domain of time varying signal and/or the labor of event.There is multiple triggering method, comprise various types of outside and internal trigger, comprise level triggers (leveltriggering), power trigger, frequency mask triggers etc.For analyzing transient state and other uncommon signal event, usually usefully use the internal trigger of some forms, some characteristics wherein in response to observed signal perform triggering.

Under any circumstance, once statement (declare) triggers, the analysis using various acquisition setting to obtain time varying signal is caught, such as, catch length, postpones.Although existing triggering is enough to various signal quite widely, have a kind of signal situation relatively general in digital RF systems, for it, existing internal trigger method can not work.Such as, in given frequency range, signal can occur at different time level under multiple different capacity.Power trigger can catch the signal with peak power, frequency mask triggers can catch the signal exceeding certain power threshold under characteristic frequency, but the scene still unpredictable (elusive) of " signal (signalundersignal) under signal ".

Bitmap described herein and display continue to can be used for structure trigger mechanism to overcome above-mentioned test problems and/or to provide other effectiveness and advantage.Referring now to Fig. 4, describe a kind of example triggers method.

As shown at 80, first the method can comprise and set up area-of-interest.Typically, this region will be set up explicitly with above-mentioned bitmap data structure.Such as, the specific group pixels on bitmap can be designated as area-of-interest.Typically, this grouping is the rectangular area of the bitmap unit for driving the pixel in display, but other also can be used to divide into groups.

Usually, certain form of user's input is received to set up area-of-interest.Such as, keyboard can be used for specifying interested X and the Y scope corresponding to power and the frequency range that will observe.Selectively, can graphical method be used, such as receive mouse input or other input for picture frame in the display of bitmap.

As shown in 82, the method also comprises the trigger criteria set up and will use.In the example discussed herein, triggering is inner, and the search attribute of signal is designated the data bitmap that maybe can be converted into and occur at area-of-interest.The triggering based on the color-values in bitmap or brightness degree and the triggering based on signal density and signal correction (correlation) will be comprised at the specific example hereafter discussed in more detail.

Step 86,88 and 90 iterative operations relating to system, it occurs after the appointment (specification) of area-of-interest and trigger criteria.Step 86 and 88 describe repeatedly generate digital frequency domain conversion, and apply those conversion come updated space chart database.In one embodiment, for application is with each conversion test trigger criteria of updated space chart database.In the embodiment that another is possible, each display frame evaluates trigger criteria only once, or every n conversion is only once, instead of when each conversion separately of chart database in place upgrades.Therefore, in the example described, move to the test of the satisfaction of trigger criteria in handling process before, data bitmap storehouse is updated N time, and wherein N is the number of transitions of each display frame.But, should be appreciated that, trigger criteria can be tested according to any desired timetable (schedule), comprise with the time interval inconsistent with the frame rate of display of equipment.That is to say, by it is often desirable that test is matched with for the sampling of the database showing object, because trigger event often by user according to visible signal phenomenon and understanding in display, or directly or by the enhancing provided by lasting, color-code and further feature to understand.But in other is arranged, temporal resolution requires can be given for the preference of Test Application in each conversion renewal of bitmap.

As seen at 92, after exchange a value (worthoftransform) of frame has been added in bitmap structure, handling process has moved to test trigger criteria.As shown in 90, but before test triggers, the institute's accumulated value in bitmap can be reduced according to the specific lasting system (regime) used or decay.On the other hand, sometimes desired is between any decay of application or persistence techniques, carry out triggering test.Such as, preferably before increase continues, density may be performed to data bitmap trigger or perform density measurement (performthedensitytestonpersistedbitmapsthathavebeenorcle anedtofactoroutpersistenceeffects) to continued bitmap (it is cleaned to carry out factor out to persistency effects).

Continue this figure, if do not state triggering, handling process returns 84, and wherein, exchanging a value of another frame is applied to bitmap by prior to next test period, etc.On the other hand, as shown in 94, if cause triggering statement to the screening strength of area-of-interest, the analysis performing time varying signal is caught.As previously mentioned, analyze catch typically comprise with in logic or physically separated position store part desired by time varying signal, with allow to make institute's capture-data stand more deep, more fully analyze.As previously mentioned, various acquisition can be used to arrange definitely to specify when triggering is declared, what part of time varying signal is captured.Two is often by the appointment of the length of the part be retained for the time varying signal more analysed in depth (on the time) by the appointment used, and relative to the instruction when beginning of the moment sample of trigger event should occur.Further, will recognize that occurring in the part of time varying signal triggered before or after statement can be comprised in the analysis be retained in memory sub-system 32 catches.

Forward now the example specifically triggering and specify to, a class triggers to specify and can use the chromatic characteristic of bitmap to construct.Should be realized that, when triggering is designated according to color, triggers by thus determined by the brightness degree used together with the display sample of bitmap structure (such as on display subsystem 34) or color scheme.Color standard can define for region for interested in various ways.Such as, trigger criteria may be: in this region, the pixel of particular percentile must " at least " be green, namely green or with the waveform of relative higher number, corresponding color occurs.As another example, standard may be " on average " color of all pixels (bitmap unit) in the region of definition.These are only citings, and other standard based on color also can use.In addition, the appointment occurring in 82 places (Fig. 4) may directly be expressed by the input from user, or may be derived from user's input or inputted by user to calculate.

Typically, as discussed above, test is triggered once for each display frame being sent to display subsystem 34 performs.Such as, in one of previous embodiment, system is with per second about 48, and 000 conversion is updated, and uses 33Hz frame rate.In this example, for every 1400 conversion being applied to bitmap, trigger criteria will tested about once.

See the determining step 92 of Fig. 4, deterministic process typically will be included in the inspection of the individual element of the area-of-interest that step 80 place defines.As shown in 94, if be satisfied based on the standard of color, triggered and occur and take to catch analysis.

About the area-of-interest defined in bitmap, trigger and also can judge based on waveform generality (also can be called density or occupation rate (occupancyrate)).Rephrase the statement, it is interested that user may generate the relative speed of the spectrum component in the certain power-frequency field of frequency spectrum to time varying signal.See Fig. 5, show example frequency-power bitmap frequency spectrum 100.Suppose, such as, user's expection " health " signal mainly or ad hoc generates component in region a, and wherein accidental artifact (occasionalartifact) occurs in the B of region.User can not pay close attention to this artifact, as long as it seldom occurs.Therefore, user's definable generality or density threshold, will cause its activity (activity) in the B of region increases triggering (and analyze catch).From this example, native system should be understood and method can be advantageously used to detect spectral event, even when its by the signal " encirclement " of signal that is higher and more both short arcs and larger and less generality on frequency spectrum designation time.In addition, in many cases, useful triggering can be designed and any priori of signal without the need to waveform interested in time domain or frequency domain.

Multiple method determination density value can be used.In one implementation, areal concentration is defined as the number of the bitmap unit hit occurred in this region divided by the hit number that will occur when all conversion observing the period from each have fallen into the region of definition all.Such as, suppose that step 80 place area-of-interest is defined as being in frequency F, at power level P _upperand P _lowerbetween.Further hypothesis, during observation interval, by 100 spectrum application in data bitmap storehouse.If 85 for frequency F in frequency spectrum are created on P _upperand P _lowerbetween power level, so use this measurement, density can be 85/100=0.85.If area-of-interest spans frequency range, such as make it be that i unit is wide, so this factor (factor) must be counted into denominator.The calculating obtained to comprise the number that occurs in the zone for averag density divided by (100 × i).Other formula can be used to other density definition on region, such as in i row, selects maximum or minimum density values.

In addition to these examples, trigger and can, based on the observation characteristic in the area-of-interest of definition, then determine to observe characteristic and the relevant degree of reference, see, for example being the signal that arrives of previous observation or signal event.See Fig. 6,7 and 8, Fig. 6 show reference in the region of interest, and Fig. 7 and 8 respectively illustrates two different samples of the frequency spectrum data collected.The sample that rough signal check discloses Fig. 7 to reference to closer to mate or relevant.

Use various quantitative approach to estimate the bitmap region of observation and the relevant of reference zone.Usually, bitmap region is updated as in the exemplary method of Fig. 4, and associated trigger frequently (such as, each display frame once, or after each conversion) tested.More specifically, during the testing procedure 92 of Fig. 4, can be the data collected and set up relevance scores, wherein score is from the degree of correlation numerically reflecting data and the reference of collecting.

Refer again to Fig. 4, when associated trigger is used, also can comprise in the triggering of 82 places definition and set up or specify the reference that will be used for generating relevance scores.In many cases, this will comprise the data using and previously obtain, the reference DPX bitmap such as created by a part of time varying signal (known do not have too much noise or less desirable artifact).On the other hand, user may want to carry out search based on the signal of known forgery or artifact and diagnostic (diagnostically) triggers, and it can be provided as and to be referenced to and its characteristic is known degree (inwhichcasethatwouldbesuppliedasthereferencetotheextenti tscharacteristicswereknown) in this case.

Standard in step 82 is specified and also can be comprised user and specify observation signal and can start the correlative between reference that (trip) trigger.As previously pointed out, relevant can carry out quantitative measurment according to relevance scores, and trigger and can exceed the threshold value of specifying in step 82 place based on relevance scores thus be declared.

Should be appreciated that the reference for dependent evaluation can obtain by multiple method.Such as, with reference to being in the meaning that current data obtains the prearranged signal phenomenon that duty cycle (session) obtains before, with reference to can externally be applied.For the object generating trigger criteria, external reference is supplied to process.On the other hand, be generate or obtain to obtain in the meaning of conversion and the data bitmap generated in duty cycle from current data in reference, reference can be inner.Such as, with reference to (continuing) bitmap that can only add up in area-of-interest, trigger so the new signal being followed through the path of area-of-interest generates, the path of this area-of-interest was followed many times in the past (and therefore in lasting display fewer path of advancing have higher hit count).In this case, the reference not having outside to provide.

Further, no matter inner or outside, take from the area-of-interest for triggering specified by test with reference to not needing.In some cases, compared with testing with for trigger criteria, with reference to obtaining from the different piece of bitmap.

With above-described various example system and method relatively, for triggering test, realize continuing, drive the object of display translation etc., should be appreciated that the copy of multiple data bitmap and/or version can be used.Fig. 9 describes the various illustrative example of the bitmap structure be stored in memory sub-system 32.As directed, bitmap can be retained and upgrade to reflect and infinitely continue 120, zero to continue 122 (that is, from the data of the display frame of up-to-date conversion or conversion), and the various realizations of Variable continuous 124,126,128.Further, any or all these data structures can be used to drive the actual displayed bitmap 130 being read out to display subsystem 34.

Trigger and also can be performed based on the hit count in the particular region of interest occurred in bitmap and/or on bitmap.Hit count threshold value can be absolute counting, or relative to the counting of the whole countings occurred in bitmap, or occur in the counting in the specific region of bitmap.Further, density discussed herein/occupy and painted (coloration) trigger and sometimes can express according to absolute or relative bitmap hit count.

As previously pointed out about step 82, the user of trigger criteria specify in be derived from some cases user input, with directly specify contrary.Such as, see Figure 10, this Figure illustrates presentation presenting (rendering) to the bitmap 140 of user 142 on touch-sensitive interactive display 144.Simultaneously see the step 80 in Figure 10 and Fig. 4 and 82, the example of description provides user interface, and it allows user to point out area-of-interest intuitively and for providing both signal phenomenons of trigger definition 82.Especially, user 142 is shown as making touch input by reference to display and making one's options 146.

Based on selection 146, processing instruction can be implemented (such as, in the processing subsystem 36 of Fig. 1) to generate trigger criteria and area-of-interest that to select 146 based on user.An advantage of this method is it is intuitively to user, and allow user to their expect be used as trigger basis signal event (such as, from the past store frequency spectrum graphics) make a gesture (gesture).Then, in response to the data bitmap in selection 146, user's input is converted into triggering requirement by the frequency spectrum data analyzed in the bitmap region pointed out by processor automatically.These trigger requirement can be expressed or be decomposed into multiple burst types, comprises color described above, density, hit count and associated trigger, and/or its combination.In certain embodiments, desirably select the characteristic that identifies in 146 convergent-divergent (scale) or otherwise realize proportionality relatively with user.Such as, if the value that system is determined signal density in selected region or occupied, then by sometimes desired be if be used for activation threshold value, reduce (scaledown) this value, a little excessively to comprise (slightlyover-inclusive) in the statement of trigger event.This can be considered to " sensitivity (sensitivity) " that trigger, and user interface or equipment setting typically also comprise the mechanism enabling user regulate this sensitivity.

Should be appreciated that embodiment described herein can such as by being stored on computer-readable recording medium and the computer executable instructions performed by computing equipment or code (such as program) and realize.Usually, program comprises the routine, the object that perform particular task or realize particular abstract data type, assembly, data structure etc.As used herein, term " program " may imply that multiple programs of single program or consistent action, and can be used for representing the program of application, service or other type any or kind.Similarly, term as used herein " computer " and " computing equipment " comprise any equipment performing one or more program electronically.

Can understand configuration described herein further and/or method is in fact exemplary, and these specific embodiments or example can not be considered to restrictive, because various deformation is all possible.Specific routine described herein or method can represent in the processing policy of any number one or more.Similarly, explanation various actions can by illustrative order, by other order, may perform with omitting concurrently, maybe.Similarly, the order without requiring any said process realizes feature and/or the result of embodiment described herein, only provides this order for being convenient to the purpose of illustration and description.

Theme of the present disclosure comprise various process, system and configuration, further feature disclosed herein, function, action and/or attribute and its equivalents any and all novelties and non-obvious combination and sub-portfolio.

Claims (23)

1., for carrying out the method triggered in RF test and measuring equipment based on signal event, comprising:

Repeatedly time varying signal is sampled;

As time goes on, the sampling based on described time varying signal generates multiple digital frequency domain frequency spectrum;

By sequentially selectable number digital frequency domain spectrum application being come repeatedly to upgrade frequency domain bitmap for described time varying signal in the data storage comprising frequency domain bitmap;

Periodically described frequency domain bitmap is sampled with optional first sampling rate; And

In response to the detection to the generation of predefine characteristic in frequency domain bitmap, the described sampling carried out with the first sampling rate is used to trigger catching time varying signal.

2. the method for claim 1, described frequency domain bitmap is the two dimensional grid with unit, this unit has the assigned frequency/performance number for frequency and power, and wherein repeatedly upgrade frequency domain bitmap to comprise, for each in described selectable number digital frequency domain frequency spectrum, if there is analog value in one in described selectable number digital frequency domain frequency spectrum, so increment is carried out to the discrete cell of frequency domain bitmap.

3. method as claimed in claim 2, comprises further and periodically to sample to frequency domain bitmap with optional second sampling rate and to use the described sampling carried out with the second sampling rate to show to provide frequency spectrum.

4. method as claimed in claim 3, the generality of the painted corresponding frequencies/performance number by being present in the described selectable number digital frequency domain frequency spectrum being applied to the data storage comprising frequency domain bitmap of the unit during described frequency spectrum display is configured to that frequency spectrum is shown determines.

5. method as claimed in claim 4, described predefine characteristic is expressed according to the painted of unit in described frequency spectrum display.

6. method as claimed in claim 5, the brightness of the unit during described frequency spectrum display is configured to that frequency spectrum is shown is determined by the generality of the corresponding frequencies/performance number be present in the described selectable number digital frequency domain frequency spectrum being applied to the data storage comprising frequency domain bitmap.

7. method as claimed in claim 2, comprises catching of time varying signal in response to triggering the detection of the generation of predefine characteristic in frequency domain bitmap: whether the spectrum waveform generality for the selected portion determination digital frequency domain frequency spectrum of frequency domain bitmap has exceeded the threshold value in such selected portion.

8. the method for claim 1, comprises further and periodically to sample to described frequency domain bitmap with optional second sampling rate and to use the described sampling carried out with the second sampling rate to provide frequency spectrum to show on the display device.

9. method as claimed in claim 8, comprises user's input of receiving and showing about described frequency spectrum further with the selected portion setting up described frequency domain bitmap.

10. the method for claim 1, triggers and comprises catching of time varying signal:

Described frequency domain bitmap specifies area-of-interest;

Set up trigger criteria based on the color of display device or light characteristic, this display device presents the data from area-of-interest; And

When the meeting of described trigger criteria, perform catching time varying signal.

11. the method for claim 1, trigger and comprise catching of time varying signal:

Described frequency domain bitmap specifies area-of-interest;

Density feature based on display device sets up trigger criteria, and this display device presents the data from area-of-interest; And

When the meeting of described trigger criteria, perform catching time varying signal.

12. the method for claim 1, trigger and comprise catching of time varying signal:

Described frequency domain bitmap specifies area-of-interest;

Trigger criteria is set up based on to the bitmap hit count of described area-of-interest; And

When the meeting of described trigger criteria, perform catching time varying signal.

13. methods as claimed in claim 1, trigger and comprise catching of time varying signal:

Described frequency domain bitmap specifies area-of-interest;

Reference is specified in described area-of-interest;

Trigger criteria is set up based on the degree of correlation between the frequency spectrum data collected and described reference; And

When the frequency spectrum data collected meets or exceeds the threshold value degree of correlation of described reference, perform catching time varying signal.

14. 1 kinds of RF tests and measuring equipment, comprising:

Leading section, for receiving time varying signal;

Run-time engine, be operationally coupled with described leading section and be configured to when described time varying signal by described leading section received and processed time, generate digital frequency domain frequency spectrum based on described time varying signal; And

Memory sub-system, comprises the frequency domain bitmap upgraded by sequentially receiving and store selectable number digital frequency domain frequency spectrum,

Wherein said Run-time engine is configured to monitor described frequency domain bitmap for characteristics of signals after one group of second selectable number frequency-domain spectrum further, and in response to the detection of characteristics of signals, make time varying signal to be captured in the memory location of RF test and measuring equipment.

15. equipment as claimed in claim 14, comprise the user interface being configured to receive user's input further, described user inputs the appointment produced the area-of-interest on frequency domain bitmap, and according to the characteristic based on color of frequency domain bitmap to the appointment of characteristics of signals, wherein present frequency domain bitmap so that when showing on the display device of RF test and measuring equipment, this is painted relevant based on the characteristic of color and the area-of-interest of frequency domain bitmap.

16. equipment as claimed in claim 14, comprise the user interface being configured to receive user's input further, described user inputs the appointment produced the area-of-interest on frequency domain bitmap, and according to the characteristic of the density based of frequency domain bitmap to the appointment of characteristics of signals, the characteristic of wherein said density based is the occupation rate in the area-of-interest of frequency domain bitmap.

17. equipment as claimed in claim 14, comprise the user interface being configured to receive user's input further, described user inputs and produces appointment to the area-of-interest on frequency domain bitmap, and according to for the frequency spectrum data collected by area-of-interest and with reference between degree of correlation to the appointment of characteristics of signals.

18. equipment as claimed in claim 17, described reference is that outside provides.

19. equipment as claimed in claim 17, generate described reference based on the internal data obtained from frequency domain bitmap.

20. 1 kinds, for the method for carrying out triggering based on signal event in RF test and measuring equipment, comprising:

Frequency domain bitmap sets up area-of-interest, and described frequency domain bitmap is configured to store digitlization power data according to frequency;

According to predefine characteristic be area-of-interest specify trigger criteria;

Repeatedly time varying signal is sampled;

As time goes on, the sampling based on described time varying signal generates multiple digital frequency domain frequency spectrum;

By sequentially digital frequency domain spectrum application described in selectable number repeatedly being upgraded described frequency domain bitmap in the data storage comprising frequency domain bitmap;

Periodically described frequency domain bitmap is sampled with optional sampling rate; And

In response to the detection to predefine characteristic in the area-of-interest of frequency domain bitmap, use described sampling to trigger catching time varying signal.

21. methods as claimed in claim 20, according to predefine characteristic be area-of-interest specify trigger criteria comprise when area-of-interest be presented on RF test and measuring equipment display device on time, appointment area-of-interest painted.

22. methods as claimed in claim 20, according to predefine characteristic be area-of-interest specify trigger criteria comprise when area-of-interest be presented on RF test and measuring equipment display device on time, appointment area-of-interest in occupation rate.

23. methods as claimed in claim 20, be that area-of-interest specifies trigger criteria to comprise appointment dependent thresholds according to predefine characteristic, wherein said dependent thresholds indicates the degree of correlation between frequency spectrum data and reference be present in area-of-interest.