Method and Apparatus for Triggering a Test and Measurement Instrument

1 . A method for determining a trigger in a test and measurement apparatus, comprising the steps of:

(a) loading a first trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus;

(b) determining for a first predetermined time whether an input signal generates a trigger;

(c) loading a second trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus upon the conclusion of the first predetermined time; and

(d) determining for a second predetermined time whether the input signal generates a trigger.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing in memory the first trigger configuration if it is determined that the input signal generated a trigger during the first predetermined time.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of reloading the first trigger configuration into the test and measurement apparatus to place the apparatus in a state similar to that during the first predetermined time.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing in memory the second trigger configuration if it is determined that the input signal generated a trigger during the second predetermined time.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of reloading the second trigger configuration into the test and measurement apparatus to place the apparatus in a state similar to that during the second predetermined time.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein if it is determined that no trigger is generated during the first and second predetermined times, processing of steps (a) through (d) is repeated.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions comprises a complex trigger condition.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the complex trigger condition comprises a sequential trigger.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions comprises a plurality of individual trigger conditions on a corresponding plurality of input channels.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions are met when each of the plurality of individual trigger conditions on each of the corresponding input channels are substantially simultaneously met.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the test and measurement apparatus is an oscilloscope.

12 . A method for determining a trigger in a test and measurement apparatus, comprising the steps of:

loading a first trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus;

determining for a first predetermined time whether an input signal generates a trigger;

stopping processing of the test and measurement apparatus if a trigger is generated during the first predetermined time;

loading a second trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus upon the conclusion of the first predetermined time if it is determined that no trigger was generated during the first predetermined time;

determining for the second predetermined time whether the input signal generates a trigger;

stopping processing of the test and measurement apparatus if a trigger is generated during the second predetermined time.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the test and measurement instrument retains the trigger configuration in place when processing stops.

14 . A method for generating a trigger scan setup file, comprising the steps of:

placing a test and measurement apparatus in a first desired trigger configuration;

storing the first desired trigger configuration to the trigger scan setup file;

placing the test and measurement apparatus in a second desired trigger configuration; and

storing the second desired trigger configuration to the trigger scan setup file.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:

loading at least one of the first and second desired trigger configurations from the trigger configuration file to the test and measurement apparatus;

changing the configuration settings of the test and measurement apparatus; and storing the changed configuration settings to the trigger scan setup file.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of modifying one or more parameters stored in the trigger scan setup file.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions comprises a complex trigger condition.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions comprises a plurality of individual trigger conditions on a corresponding plurality of input channels.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger conditions are met when each of the plurality of individual trigger conditions on each of the corresponding input channels are substantially simultaneously met.

20 . A test and measurement apparatus comprising:

one or more trigger settings; and

a processor for storing a first desired trigger configuration comprising one or more trigger settings to a trigger scan setup file, and for storing a second desired trigger configuration comprising one or more trigger settings to the trigger scan setup file.

21 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the processor is further adapted to load the first trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus, determine for a first predetermined time whether an input signal generates a trigger, load the second trigger configuration to the test and measurement apparatus upon the conclusion of the first predetermined time, and determine for a second predetermined time whether the input signal generates a trigger.

22 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 21 , wherein a table is provided including a list of the first and second trigger configurations that generated a trigger.

23 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 22 , wherein selection of one of the list of the first and second trigger configurations loads the selected trigger configuration into the test and measurement apparatus.

24 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger configurations is determined in accordance with a parameter statistical analysis.

25 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second trigger configuration is determined in accordance with an automatic fitting mask.

26 . The test and measurement apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the test and measurement apparatus is an oscilloscope.