Mixed signal analysis

A signal analysis system, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory medium coupled to the processor;
• a display coupled to the memory medium and the processor;
• and
• one or more hardware devices coupled to the memory medium and the processor;
• wherein the memory medium stores a plurality of virtual instruments, wherein each of the virtual instruments is executable on a computer system to implement an instrument function, and wherein the plurality of virtual instruments and the one or more hardware devices comprise a plurality of instruments;
• wherein the memory medium further stores program instructions executable by the processor to:
• a) receive user input specifying an operation, wherein the operation implements at least a portion of a signal analysis function;
• b) perform the operation in response to the specifying, wherein said performing utilizes at least one of the plurality of instruments to perform the operation;
• c) display an icon on the display in response to said specifying, wherein the icon comprises a graphical representation of the operation, and wherein the icon is displayed upon the specifying;
• d) store information specifying the operation;
• and
• repeat a)-d) a plurality of times to specify the signal analysis function;
• wherein the operations in the signal analysis function comprise at least one of 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph;
• wherein, during said repeating, each of the user specified operations continues to be performed;
• wherein the signal analysis function utilizes at least a first plurality of the plurality of instruments;
• wherein after said repeating a plurality of icons are displayed on the display representing a plurality of operations, wherein the plurality of icons are arranged to visually indicate the signal analysis function;
• and
• wherein said repeating produces a set of stored information representing the plurality of operations in the signal analysis function.

A computer-implemented method for analyzing signals, the method comprising:

• utilizing a computer to perform:
• a) receiving user input specifying an operation, wherein the operation implements at least a portion of a signal analysis function;
• b) performing the operation in response to the specifying, wherein said performing utilizes at least one of the plurality of instruments to perform the operation;
• c) displaying an icon on the display in response to said specifying, wherein the icon comprises a graphical representation of the operation, and wherein the icon is displayed upon the specifying;
• and
• d) storing information specifying the operation;
• repeating a)-d) a plurality of times to specify the signal analysis function;
• wherein the operations in the signal analysis function comprise at least one of 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph;
• wherein, during said repeating, each of the user specified operations continues to be performed;
• wherein the signal analysis function utilizes at least a first plurality of the plurality of instruments;
• wherein after said repeating a plurality of icons are displayed on the display representing a plurality of operations, wherein the plurality of icons are arranged to visually indicate the signal analysis function;
• and
• wherein said repeating produces a set of stored information representing the plurality of operations in the signal analysis function.