US5103402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for identifying, saving, and analyzing continuous frequency domain data in a spectrum analyzer
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-05
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2008-07-05
Abstract
Abstract As frequency spectra are produced continuously at a speed that is too fast for realtime display, they are accumulated in a memory. After a block of these frequency spectra have been accumulated, they are read back from the memory and displayed on a display device that permits the display of multiple frequency spectra along a time axis. Markers allow delta-time measurements to be made between different spectra in the display. Continuous storage into a circular memory can be stopped and the display of the accumulated frequency spectra started by the detection of the occurrence of a pre-defined spectra event.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven R. Morton
- 👤 John C. Domogalla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R23/00; G01R23/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for analyzing frequency spectra generated continuously at a faster rate that the frequency spectra can be displayed, comprising the steps of: continuously generating frequency spectra without gaps in the time domain information that they represent; defining a spectral event; recognizing the occurrence of the defined spectral even; triggering an accumulating step when a defined spectral event is recognized; accumulating all of the continuously generated frequency spectra generated over an interval of time in a memory means; and analyzing the accumulated frequency spectra after the end of the interval of time; displaying the frequency spectra along a time axis of the end of the interval of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for analyzing frequency spectra generated continuously at a faster rate that the frequency spectra can be displayed, comprising the steps of: continuously generating frequency spectra without gaps in the time domain information that they represent; defining a spectral event; recognizing the occurrence of the defined spectral even; triggering an accumulating step when a defined spectral event is recognized; accumulating all of the continuously generated frequency spectra generated over an interval of time in a memory means; and analyzing the accumulated frequency spectra after the end of the interval of time; displaying the frequency spectra along a time axis of the end of the interval of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the timing relationship between the occurrence of the spectral event and the triggering of the accumulating step is subject to operator control.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for identifying and accumulating frequency domain information of particular interest comprising the steps of: defining a spectral event; continuously accumulating frequency spectra in a circular memory; recognizing the occurrence of the defined spectral event; and halting the storage of the frequency spectra when the defined spectral event is recognized.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for identifying and accumulating frequency domain information of particular interest comprising the steps of: defining a spectral event; continuously accumulating frequency spectra in a circular memory; recognizing the occurrence of the defined spectral event; and halting the storage of the frequency spectra when the defined spectral event is recognized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the recognizing step comprises the steps of: generating a pair of limit masks having the same format as the frequency spectra; and comparing each of the frequency spectra to both of the limit masks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the step of: displaying the frequency spectra along a time axis of a displaying means capable of displaying multiple frequency spectra.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the steps of: identifying one of the displayed frequency spectra; identifying another of the displayed frequency spectra; and calculating a time difference between the two identified frequency spectra.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for accumulating and displaying at a later time blocks of continuously generated frequency spectra which describe without gaps in time the activity of a time varying electronic signal under analysis, comprising: means for continuously generating frequency spectra which describe without any gaps in time the activity of a time varying electronic signal under analysis; means for accumulating the frequency spectra; means for displaying a block of accumulated frequency spectra along a time axis; means for defining a spectral event; means for detecting the occurrence of the spectral event; and means for causing the block of accumulated frequency spectra to be displayed by the displaying means upon the detection of the occurrence of the spectral event.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for accumulating and displaying at a later time blocks of continuously generated frequency spectra which describe without gaps in time the activity of a time varying electronic signal under analysis, comprising: means for continuously generating frequency spectra which describe without any gaps in time the activity of a time varying electronic signal under analysis; means for accumulating the frequency spectra; means for displaying a block of accumulated frequency spectra along a time axis; means for defining a spectral event; means for detecting the occurrence of the spectral event; and means for causing the block of accumulated frequency spectra to be displayed by the displaying means upon the detection of the occurrence of the spectral event.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the accumulating means comprises a circular memory and a timing relationship between the detection of the occurrence of the spectral event and the displaying of the block of accumulated frequency spectra is subject to operator control.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for identifying and accumulating frequency domain information comprising: means for continuously generating frequency spectra; a circular memory to continuously accumulate the frequency spectra; and means for halting the further storage of frequency spectra a selectable time after the occurrence of a pre-defined spectral event.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for identifying and accumulating frequency domain information comprising: means for continuously generating frequency spectra; a circular memory to continuously accumulate the frequency spectra; and means for halting the further storage of frequency spectra a selectable time after the occurrence of a pre-defined spectral event.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the halting means comprises: means for defining a spectral event; means for detecting the occurrence of the defined spectral event; means for selecting a time between the detection of the occurrence and the halting of further storage; and means for interrupting the further storage after the selected time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the detecting means comprises: means for generating a pair of limit masks having the same format as the frequency spectra; and means for comparing each of the frequency spectra with both of the limit masks and indicating that the defined spectral event has occurred when one of the frequency spectra is outside of the limits defined by the limit masks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4093989A
Cited
US4649496A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |