# US 10,481,573 B2 · Multi-channel digital trigger with combined feature matching and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,573 B2 - Document ID: US10481573B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/815,249 - Filed: 2015-07-31 - Published: 2017-02-02 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-31 - Assignees: Keysight Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Keysight Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew Robert Lehane - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481573B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/045: using logic state machines, consisting only of a memory or a programmable logic device containing the logic for the controlled machine and in which the state of its outputs is dependent on the state of its inputs or part of its own output states, e.g. binary decision controllers, finite state controllers - G01R 13/0254: {for triggering, synchronisation} - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract A method of operating a measurement instrument, such as a digital oscilloscope, includes receiving multiple analog input signals from a measurement target over respective channels, converting the analog input signal on each channel into a respective digital signal, and comparing signal values of the digital signal on each channel to at least one threshold to generate a stream of levels for each channel. The method includes combining the stream of levels for each channel into a combined stream of levels that reflects combined features of the multiple analog input signals, detecting a pattern in the combined stream of levels using a combined-feature matching procedure implemented by hardware, such as a Finite State Machine (FSM), and triggering the measurement instrument according to a result of the combined-feature matching procedure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a measurement instrument, the method comprising: receiving multiple analog input signals from a measurement target over respective channels; converting the analog input signal on each channel into a respective digital signal; comparing signal values of the digital signal on each channel to at least one threshold to generate a stream of levels for each channel; combining the stream of levels for each channel into a combined stream of levels that reflects combined features of the multiple analog input signals; detecting a pattern in the combined stream of levels using a combined-feature matching procedure implemented by hardware; and triggering the measurement instrument according to a result of the combined-feature matching procedure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a plurality of thresholds for each channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein different thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein a different number of thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the stream of levels for each channel includes between 2 to 8 levels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware comprises a Finite State Machine (FSM) configured to perform the combined-feature matching procedure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the FSM detects the pattern in the combined stream of levels using regular expressions. ### Claim 8 A method of generating a digital trigger from multi-channel analog inputs, the method comprising: converting an analog input signal on each channel into a respective digital signal; comparing signal values of the digital signal on each channel to at least one threshold for each channel to generate a stream of levels for each channel; combining the stream of levels for each channel into a combined stream of levels; detecting a pattern in the combined stream of levels using regular expressions in a Finite State Machine (FSM) implementing a combined-feature matching procedure; and generating the digital trigger according to a result of the combined-feature matching procedure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a plurality of thresholds for each channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein different thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein a different number of thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the stream of levels for each channel includes between 2 to 8 levels. ### Claim 13 A multi-channel digital trigger device for a measurement instrument, the device comprising: an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to convert analog input signals on each of multiple channels into a respective digital signal; a comparator associated with each channel and configured to compare signal values of the digital signal on each channel to at least one threshold to generate a stream of levels for each channel; and a multi-channel trigger unit comprising hardware configured to combine the stream of levels for each channel into a combined stream of levels that reflects combined features of the multiple analog input signals, detect a pattern in the combined stream of levels using a combined-feature matching procedure, and generate a trigger according to a result of the combined-feature matching procedure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The digital trigger device of claim 13, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a plurality of thresholds for each channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The digital trigger device of claim 14, wherein different thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The digital trigger device of claim 14, wherein a different number of thresholds, of the plurality of thresholds, are selectable for each channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The digital trigger device of claim 13, wherein the stream of levels for each channel includes between 2 to 8 levels. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The digital trigger of claim 13, wherein the hardware comprises a Finite State Machine (FSM) configured to perform the combined-feature matching procedure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The digital trigger device of claim 18, wherein the FSM is configured to detect the pattern in the combined stream of levels using regular expressions.