Capturing both digital and analog forms of a signal through the same probing path
US6847199B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/31926
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An instrument includes a probe providing a single signal path for conveying a signal from a circuit under test to the instrument. A receiver circuit within the instrument divides the path into an analog path and a digital path. The digital path includes a comparator for determining the logic state of the signal and producing a digital representation of the signal under test. The analog path includes a multiplexer to selectively couple one of a plurality of analog input signals to an output terminal for viewing on an oscilloscope. Preferably, the probe head includes a buffer amplifier to reduce loading on the circuit under test and to increase bandwidth of the signals conveyed along the test cable to the instrument. An electrically trimmable resistor is employed to terminate the transmission line of the test cable in its characteristic impedance in order to reduce reflections and maintain transmission bandwidth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.