Nova Patents
EP1554807B1

High bandwidth real time oscilloscope

Abstract

A method and apparatus for digitizing a data signal, the method comprising the steps of receiving an input analog data signal, splitting the received input analog data signal into a plurality of split signals, and mixing at least one of the split signals with a predetermined periodic function with a predetermined frequency. The split signals are then digitized and combined mathematically to form a single output data stream that is a substantially correct representation of the original input signal.

EP1554807B1, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 143

Term

Term ended

Expired 24 October 2023, 2.9 years ago.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Granted
  4. Expired
  5. Today

20 claims: 2 independent, 18 dependent

  1. 1
    A method for digitising a data signal, the method comprising the steps of:receiving an input analog data signal (100), the input analog data signal (100) spanning an input frequency range (103);splitting the received input analog data signal (100) into a plurality of split signals (108, 115), each of the split signals (108, 115) spanning a respective frequency band range smaller than the input frequency range and the sum of the respective frequency band ranges for each split signal (108, 115) spanning a split signal input frequency band range;and mixing at least one of the split signals (108, 115) with a respective predetermined periodic signal having a respective predetermined frequency (F), thereby translating the frequency band range of one or more of the split signals (108, 115) so as to form one or more respective mixed signals (218, 125, 128), the method being characterised by the steps of: digitising the split signals (108) and the mixed signal(s) (118);upsampling (121, 122) both the digitised split signal (108) and the one or more of the digitised mixed signals (128);additionally mixing (123) the upsampled one or more of the digitised mixed signals (128) with a periodic signal of said predetermined frequency (F);mirror image rejecting (126) a respective mirror image of the one or more additionally mixed upsampled digitised mixed signals (128);and combining (133) the upsampled digitised split signal (108) and the mirror image-rejected one or more of the digitised mixed signals (128) so as to form a single output data stream (135) that is a substantially correct representation of the received input analog data signal (100) over the split signal input frequency band range.
  2. 11
    An apparatus for digitising a data signal, comprising:an input operable to receive an input analog data signal (100), the input analog data signal (100) spanning an input frequency range (103);a splitter (112) operable to split the received input analog data signal (100) into a plurality of split signals(108, 115), each of the split signals (108, 115) spanning a respective frequency band range smaller than the input frequency range (103) and the sum of the respective frequency band ranges for each split signal spanning a split signal input frequency band range;and a first mixer (116) operable to mix at least one of said split signals (108, 115) with a respective predetermined periodic signal having a respective predetermined frequency so as to translate the frequency band range of one or more of the split signals (108, 115) to form one or more respective mixed signals (118, 125, 128), the apparatus being characterised by : a digitiser (106, 111) operable to digitise the split signals (108, 115) and the mixed signal(s);upsamplers (121, 122) operable to upsample both the digitised split signal and the one or more of the digitised mixed signals;a second mixer operable to mix the upsampled one or more of the digitised mixed signals (128) with a periodic signal of said predetermined frequency (F);a filter (125) operable to reject a respective mirror image of the or each mixed upsampled one or more of the digitised mixed signals (128);and a combining unit (132) operable to combine the upsampled digitised split signals and the filtered one or more of the digitised mixed signals so as to form a single output data stream (135) that is a substantially correct representation of the received input analog data signal (100) over the split signal input frequency band range.