Sparse vector rasterization

Abstract

A method for rasterization of a set of voltage-versus-time data-address pairs into horizontal and vertical locations of a multi-bit raster display memory of a digital oscilloscope or similar electronic data acquisition instrument is disclosed. It provides a new way of controlling digital intensity, by allowing the operator and/or a function based on the instrument's trigger rate to set the number of intensity units available for brightening the pixels affected by the rasterization of each acquisition data pair. If a vector has more pixels than there are units of intensity available, the number of pixels that are to be brightened is limited but spread out over the vector's length by an algorithm that includes at least some degree of randomization. If there are more units of intensity available than there are pixels to put them in, the extra ones can either be distributed into each pixel or randomly added along the vector or ignored. If the vector has no length, all of the available intensity, or some lesser amount of intensity, is put on one pixel. Setting a small minimum vector length, below which only limited vector fill is used, can save time by limiting the amount spent on insignificant details. Setting maximum and minimum intensity levels for those pixels that are affected by the rasterization process can limit saturation and assure that areas that receive only one or a few attacks will still have an intensity level that is perceptible. Sparse vector rasterization avoids the hard binary choice between using a dot mode or a vector mode, and gives the user an analog-like intensity control that produces a perceived continuum of viewing choices. It does this while maximizing the number of pixels updated within the context of how many waveforms are being acquired and need to be processed.