US 8,570,921 B2 · Apparatus for and method of generating a time reference

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system is configured to generate a time reference where the system includes a bi-directional loop configured to have a first propagation speed in a first direction and a second propagation speed in a second direction, wherein the first propagation speed is substantially equal to the second propagation speed. In one embodiment, the system further includes a plurality of system elements coupled to the bi-directional loop, wherein each respective system element of the plurality of system elements is configured to determine a time reference common to each as an average arrival time at the respective system element of a first signal transmitted in the first direction over the bi-directional loop and a second signal transmitted in the second direction over the bi-directional loop.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An automatic test system, comprising:

a synchronizer configured to measure signals corresponding to system events relative to a time reference;
a plurality of system elements in electrical communication with the synchronizer, wherein the plurality of system elements include a first instrument and a second instrument;
a first trigger bus configured to couple to the synchronizer and the first instrument, the first trigger bus having a first propagation delay;
and
a second trigger bus configured to couple to the synchronizer and the second instrument, the second trigger bus having a second propagation delay that is different than the first propagation delay,
wherein the time reference is a synchronous time reference employed by each of the first instrument and the second instrument to measure the signals at the respective instruments relative to the time reference.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for and method of generating a time reference

Life of this patent

Apparatus for and method of generating a time reference

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21