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Wave Synchronization Module (WSM)

Sometimes synchronizing measurements simply means keeping things working together. Advanced features such as alignment with a global time standard, accuracy of an atomic clock, or widespread networking are sometimes necessary. But for those other times when a simple stable oscillator is all you really need, that is where the Wave Synchronization Module can help.

  • You can produce "synchronized" data sets with as little as ±0.00001 radians tracking error relative to the reference waveform signal — that is, synchronization isn't perfect, but almost as good as the reference.

  • You can maintain alignment despite hazards such as random noise, waveform distortions, frequency drift, or even temporary dropouts in the timing signal.

  • You can use whatever frequency you happen to have, and it doesn't matter, though you do need to know approximately what that frequency is.

  • You easily can simplify otherwise difficult measurements, such as Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) or Effective Number of Bits (ENOB), and avoid special custom-designed test equipment.

Sine waves carry rich timing information. Waves change smoothly and predictably, so that every adjustment can reflect the combined influence of hundreds of observations. Furthermore, the abundance of information allows the identification and elimination of offset errors, random noise, and waveform distortions, so that these side-issues do not interfere with stable tracking.

Capturing "timing waveform data" and "measured signal data" side-by-side, a precise mathematical relationship can be constructed on-the-fly. This mathematical association can then be expanded to determine where samples are needed from each measured signal, relative to the timing defined by the reference waveform. With this strategy, you don't need something unusual like a controlled-rate sampling clock and feedback controller to maintain alignment. Once the timing information is known, it doesn't matter whether it resulted from a digital or sine wave timing source, and the TBRESAMP processing command from the Time Base and Time Synchronization Module is used to evaluate signal samples at any rate you want.