Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

Daniel Lee Pleasant

Gopalakrishnan Kailasam

Robert Thomas Cutler

Joseph Michael Gorin

Stanley Ted Jefferson

Jefferson B Burch

Christopher E Stewart

Leon K Werenka

Duaine C Wood

Graham S Pollock

John B Stratton

A method for operating a data processing system to discover the attributes of instruments in a set of instruments connected thereto is disclosed. The method causes the data processing system to determine all instruments in the set of instruments connected thereto by sending a first query on each communication link connected to the data processing system. The data processing system receives a response that identifies one of the instruments and a model identification code for that instrument. The data processing system retrieves model configuration information from an instrument catalog database attached to the data processing system based on the manufacturer's catalog information. The model configuration information includes an option that is available on the one of the instruments having the manufacturer's catalog information and a query that will cause that instrument to provide information on whether that option is installed on the one of the instruments.

System for discovering the capabilities of instruments connected to a data processing system

A system and method synchronize operations of a plurality of devices via messages over a communication network. A plurality of devices are communicatively coupled via a communication network, and the devices have their local clocks synchronized to a high degree of precision a technique, such as IEEE 1588, for synchronizing their local clocks. Event messages can be sent that include an identification of an event, as well as a timestamp that is based on the local clock of the sender. The recipient of an event message determines if it is configured to act on the identified event, and if so it takes its action based on the timestamp included in the event message. In certain embodiments, the events that are to trigger an action and/or the specific responsive actions to be taken for a given event are dynamically programmable for each device.

System and method for synchronizing operations of a plurality of devices via messages over a communication network

A system includes at least two IEEE 1588 nodes. The nodes are connected by two paths: a low latency communication path and a high bandwidth path. The clocks within the nodes are synchronized to one another at a network interface. Data and timing are transmitted on the high bandwidth path while critical timing signals are passed on the low latency communication path thereby improving timing synchronization.

Enhancement of IEEE 1588 synchronization using out-of-band communication path

A system and method are provided which coordinate the actions of a plurality of devices via scheduling occurrence of the actions based on synchronized local clocks of the devices. Thus, a plurality of devices are communicatively coupled via a communication network, and the devices have their local clocks synchronized to a high degree of precision, using IEEE 1588, NTP, or some other technique for synchronizing their local clocks. 'Time bombs' can be scheduled on the devices to coordinate the occurrence of actions between the devices in accordance with the detonation times set for the respective time bombs. In certain embodiments, not only the detonation time, but also the respective action to be triggered upon detonation is programmable for each device. The time bombs implemented on the various devices can be used to coordinate the operations of the various devices with a high degree of temporal precision.

System and method for coordinating the actions of a plurality of devices via scheduling the actions based on synchronized local clocks

A calibration system within a test system is disclosed. The calibration system may include a netlist, a path correction module, and a processor in signal communication with the path correction module. The netlist may include a list of electrical characteristics of components in the test system and a topology of the test system. The calibration system can be used with a variety of test system topologies.

Calibration system that can be utilized with a plurality of test system topologies

A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of 'time bombs' to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.

Add-on module for synchronizing operations of a plurality of devices

A synthetic test system for swept-frequency measurements that has a clock synchronization device to enable test boxes and devices that form the synthetic test system to have a common sense of time when conducting swept-frequency tests.

Swept-frequency measurements with improved speed using synthetic instruments

A test system and method which utilizes a component data base that stores performance data for individual component of the system. The system and method can further provide for using data and information from one calibration procedure in connection with performing further calibration procedures. The system and method can further provide for utilizing data of from linear components of the system to determine performance characteristics of non-linear components.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America

Daniel Lee Pleasant