Programmed calculating input signal module for waveform measuring and analyzing instrument

摘要

A waveform measuring and analyzing instrument includes a pair of plug-in receptacles adapted to receive signal acquisition and/or processing plug-in units. Each of the receptacles is wired to a waveform data memory and to a programmed processor. The program memory for the processor includes addresses assigned to the plug-in units for addressing a memory in the plug-in units which include plug-in type and status data and may include a plug-in resident programmed memory array in which a data calculation program is stored. The processor is connected to execute the software program in the plug-in unit. The plug-in resident calculating capability significantly expands the power and capability of the instrument to analyze and process particular waveform signals. The software programmed plug-in units may be formed with a pre-programmed, read-only memory or may employ a read-write memory with means for interfacing to a still larger external storage or memory. The instrument housing has an upper front control panel and a lower inter-active keyboard panel. The receptacles and plug-in units are rectangularly shaped and the receptacles are oriented horizontally in the housing to require sidewise placement or insertions of the plug-in units. A circuit board chamber is formed in the upper housing portion within which a stack of circuit boards are conveniently housed.