Compact electronics test system having user programmable device interfaces and on-board functions adapted for use in proximity to a radiation field
First Claim
1. A test device comprising:
- a first test structure comprising at least one first interface section and a second interface section, wherein said second interface section comprises an integrated circuit interface section comprising a plurality of programmable input and output elements, wherein said integrated circuit interface section is adapted to removably and electrically connect or release one or more said input and output elements with one or more input and output elements of a device under test (DUT), receive inputs and outputs from said DUT, process said inputs and outputs, and output processed data;
a second test structure comprising;
a third interface section adapted to selectively and removably electrically couple with said first interface section of said first structure;
a power module adapted to modulate incoming power to different voltages from a power supply either on said second test structure or coupled with said second test structure, said power module supplies said different voltages to sections of said first and section test structure comprising one or more said plurality of programmable input and output elements through said first test structure via said third interface section to said first interface section;
a user selectable voltage switch adapted to enable said user to select between said different voltages by manipulating said switch in different switch selection configurations;
a programmable read only memory (PROM) adapted to store a first plurality of machine readable instructions and a first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings;
a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising controlling said DUT and said programmable input and output elements through said third interface section, said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is configured to couple with said PROM and receive said first plurality of machine readable instructions in an initial testing configuration and said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is further configured to create and store a second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings on said PROM for later reload of said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit from said PROM, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is also configured to selectively program said power module to select one of said different voltages and selectively configure and program one or more of said plurality of programmable input and output elements based on said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein said first and second plurality of machine readable instructions are configured to either reconfigure programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit or be executed by different programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations;
an initial configuration load switch configured to transfer a copy of said first plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to operate said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit in said first testing configuration operable to perform a first plurality of testing operations on said DUT;
a timing signal generation section operable to supply one or different timing signals to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit;
a programming cable connection coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to electrically couple with a programming cable configured for receiving and conveying said first plurality of machine readable instructions or a second plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit;
a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria settings associated with execution of said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions by said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit by outputting a different light emission associated with predetermined said indication criteria that have been met; and
a communication protocol section adapted to transmit data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through a communication signal data interface adaptor to a computer adapted to analyze said data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various apparatus and methods associated with a compact electronics test system having user programmable device interfaces and on-board functions adapted for use in various environments are provided. Exemplary embodiments can include a variety of apparatuses and methods to realize an advanced field programmable gate array adapted to perform functional tests on digital electronics within an exemplary 48-pin DIP footprint. One aspect of the invention can include a testing device comprised of components to produce a product that is inexpensive and consumable. A small size of an exemplary embodiment of the invention further allows for desirable shielding to be placed around a highly portable and highly programmable and adaptable testing device in order to protect it from external dangers found in harsh environments (e.g., high levels of radiation when operating in space, etc.).
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A test device comprising:
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a first test structure comprising at least one first interface section and a second interface section, wherein said second interface section comprises an integrated circuit interface section comprising a plurality of programmable input and output elements, wherein said integrated circuit interface section is adapted to removably and electrically connect or release one or more said input and output elements with one or more input and output elements of a device under test (DUT), receive inputs and outputs from said DUT, process said inputs and outputs, and output processed data; a second test structure comprising; a third interface section adapted to selectively and removably electrically couple with said first interface section of said first structure; a power module adapted to modulate incoming power to different voltages from a power supply either on said second test structure or coupled with said second test structure, said power module supplies said different voltages to sections of said first and section test structure comprising one or more said plurality of programmable input and output elements through said first test structure via said third interface section to said first interface section; a user selectable voltage switch adapted to enable said user to select between said different voltages by manipulating said switch in different switch selection configurations; a programmable read only memory (PROM) adapted to store a first plurality of machine readable instructions and a first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings; a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising controlling said DUT and said programmable input and output elements through said third interface section, said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is configured to couple with said PROM and receive said first plurality of machine readable instructions in an initial testing configuration and said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is further configured to create and store a second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings on said PROM for later reload of said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit from said PROM, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is also configured to selectively program said power module to select one of said different voltages and selectively configure and program one or more of said plurality of programmable input and output elements based on said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein said first and second plurality of machine readable instructions are configured to either reconfigure programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit or be executed by different programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations; an initial configuration load switch configured to transfer a copy of said first plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to operate said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit in said first testing configuration operable to perform a first plurality of testing operations on said DUT; a timing signal generation section operable to supply one or different timing signals to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a programming cable connection coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to electrically couple with a programming cable configured for receiving and conveying said first plurality of machine readable instructions or a second plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria settings associated with execution of said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions by said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit by outputting a different light emission associated with predetermined said indication criteria that have been met; and a communication protocol section adapted to transmit data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through a communication signal data interface adaptor to a computer adapted to analyze said data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A test device comprising:
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a first test structure comprising an adapter board comprising a first electrical signal interface configured with structures for selectively retaining and interfacing with a first plurality of electrical signal input and output (I/O) interface elements, a third electrical signal interface configured with for selectively retaining and interfacing with a second plurality of electrical signal I/O interface elements, a first power supply interface and bus, and a communication interface and bus; a second test structure comprising a device under test (DUT) board including a DUT interface structure comprising a plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements and a retaining structure adapted to selectively receive, retain, and interface with a plurality of DUT interface elements of said DUT, a second electrical signal interface comprising said first plurality of electrical signal I/O elements removeably coupled with said first electrical signal interface, a DUT board bus structure configured to interface said DUT interface structure with said first test structure interface; a third test structure comprising; a fourth electrical signal interface comprising said third plurality of electrical signal I/O elements coupled to a third test structure bus structure selectively coupled with said third electrical signal interface; a power module coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to modulate incoming power to selectively supply one of a plurality of different voltages to said plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements through said fourth electrical signal interface; a user selectable voltage switch coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to enable said user to select said one of a plurality of different voltages by manipulating said switch in different switch selection configurations; a programmable read only memory (PROM) coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to store a first plurality of machine readable instructions and a first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings; a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising controlling said DUT through said fourth electrical signal interface by selectively switching, configuring, or coupling with said programmable DUT I/O elements through said third interface section based on said first plurality of machine readable instructions or a second plurality of machine readable instructions loaded on said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operable to operate or configure programmable logic blocks on said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit, said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is configured to selectively couple with said PROM and receive said first plurality of machine readable instructions in an initial testing configuration and said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is further configured to receive or create a second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions further include instructions operable to configure said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to store said first plurality of machine readable instructions, said second plurality of machine readable instructions, said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, or said second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings on said PROM for later reload or configuration of said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit from said PROM, wherein said is also configured to selectively program said power module to select said one of said plurality of different voltages and selectively configure and program one or more of said plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements based on said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein said first and second plurality of machine readable instructions are configured to either reconfigure programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit or be executed by different programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations; an initial configuration load switch coupled with said third test structure bus configured to transfer a copy of said first plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to operate said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit in said first testing configuration operable to perform a first plurality of testing operations on said DUT; a timing signal generation section coupled with said third test structure bus operable to supply one or different timing signals to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a programming cable connection coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to electrically couple with a programming cable configured for receiving and conveying said first plurality of machine readable instructions or said second plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria settings associated with execution of said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions by said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit by outputting a different light emission associated with predetermined said indication criteria that have been met; and a communication protocol section adapted to transmit DUT test or operation data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through said fourth electrical signal interface with said communication interface to a computer adapted to analyze said data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of manufacturing an electronic test device comprising:
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providing a device under test (DUT) board; providing a power supply adapted to supply power to a 48-pin dual-inline package (DIP) coupled with said DUT board; and providing said 48-pin DIP comprising; a power module adapted to modulate incoming power from said power supply to different voltages adapted to regulate voltage to 1.2V, 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V; a user selectable voltage switch adapted to enable the user to select between said voltages; a PROM; a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to control I/Os on said 48-pin DIP; an 80 MHz oscillator adapted to supply timing to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a programming cable connection adapted to accept a programming cable capable of sending programming instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a plurality of LEDs adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria; a communication protocol adapted to transmit data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through a RS232 adaptor to a computer adapted to analyze said data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of testing a digital electronic device comprising:
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releasably coupling receive and transmit input/outputs (I/O) of a device under test (DUT) board with a DUT comprising a 48-pin dual-inline package (DIP); applying a voltage to said DUT via said DUT board from a tester assembly comprising a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit, a programmable read only memory (PROM), wherein a programmable read only memory (PROM) is adapted to write stored data into a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit comprising control section, controller, or programmable logic unit setting data and a plurality of machine readable instructions operable to program programmable logic blocks on said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising a first plurality of test operations configured to control and operate said DUT, wherein said tester is adapted to receive commands to initialize test sequence, wherein said tester is adapted to read said DUT to test for errors or bad data within said DUT, wherein said tester is adapted to store said error data in a memory device or transmit to said computer, outputting data associated with said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations and data associated with DUT output from to a computer adapted to analyze said data associated with said DUT output and said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations and producing a test report output via an output device comprising one of a display, a printer, or a stored data file on a machine readable recording medium.
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23. A method of manufacturing a test device comprising:
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providing a first test structure comprising at least one first interface section and a second interface section, wherein said second interface section comprises an integrated circuit interface section comprising a plurality of programmable input and output elements, wherein said integrated circuit interface section is adapted to removably and electrically connect or release one or more said input and output elements with one or more input and output elements of a device under test (DUT), receive inputs and outputs from said DUT, process said inputs and outputs, and output processed data; providing a second test structure comprising; a third interface section adapted to selectively and removably electrically couple with said first interface section of said first structure; a power module adapted to modulate incoming power to different voltages from a power supply either on said second test structure or coupled with said second test structure, said power module supplies said different voltages to sections of said first and section test structure comprising one or more said plurality of programmable input and output elements through said first test structure via said third interface section to said first interface section; a user selectable voltage switch adapted to enable said user to select between said different voltages by manipulating said switch in different switch selection configurations; a programmable read only memory (PROM) adapted to store a first plurality of machine readable instructions and a first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings; a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising controlling said DUT and said programmable input and output elements through said third interface section, said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is configured to couple with said PROM and receive said first plurality of machine readable instructions in an initial testing configuration and said first plurality of control section, controller, programmable logic unit configuration settings, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is further configured to create and store a second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings on said PROM for later reload of said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit from said PROM, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is also configured to selectively program said power module to select one of said different voltages and selectively configure and program one or more of said plurality of programmable input and output elements based on said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein said first and second plurality of machine readable instructions are configured to either reconfigure programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit or be executed by different programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations; an initial configuration load switch configured to transfer a copy of said first plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to operate said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit in said first testing configuration operable to perform a first plurality of testing operations on said DUT; a timing signal generation section operable to supply one or different timing signals to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a programming cable connection coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to electrically couple with a programming cable configured for receiving and conveying said first plurality of machine readable instructions or a second plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria settings associated with execution of said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions by said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit by outputting a different light emission associated with predetermined said indication criteria that have been met; and a communication protocol section adapted to transmit data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through a communication signal data interface adaptor to a computer adapted to analyze said data; wherein said second test structure size and design of components placed on said first test structure is determined based on a plurality of factors comprising reducing said second test structure size to substantially reduce said second test structure area exposure to a radiation source and reduction of said second test structure'"'"'s size with respect to said first test structure'"'"'s size to a predetermined percentage, extension beyond, or ratio with respect to said first test structure size. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of manufacturing a test device comprising:
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providing a first test structure comprising an adapter board comprising a first electrical signal interface configured with structures for selectively retaining and interfacing with a first plurality of electrical signal input and output (I/O) interface elements, a third electrical signal interface configured with for selectively retaining and interfacing with a second plurality of electrical signal I/O interface elements, a first power supply interface and bus, and a communication interface and bus; providing a second test structure comprising a device under test (DUT) board including a DUT interface structure comprising a plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements and a retaining structure adapted to selectively receive, retain, and interface with a plurality of DUT interface elements of said DUT, a second electrical signal interface comprising said first plurality of electrical signal I/O elements removeably coupled with said first electrical signal interface, a DUT board bus structure configured to interface said DUT interface structure with said first test structure interface; providing a third test structure comprising; a fourth electrical signal interface comprising said third plurality of electrical signal I/O elements coupled to a third test structure bus structure selectively coupled with said third electrical signal interface; a power module coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to modulate incoming power to selectively supply one of a plurality of different voltages to said plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements through said fourth electrical signal interface; a user selectable voltage switch coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to enable said user to select said one of a plurality of different voltages by manipulating said switch in different switch selection configurations; a programmable read only memory (PROM) coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to store a first plurality of machine readable instructions and a first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings; a control section, controller, or programmable logic unit coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to perform a plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations comprising controlling said DUT through said fourth electrical signal interface by selectively switching, configuring, or coupling with said programmable DUT I/O elements through said third interface section based on said first plurality of machine readable instructions or a second plurality of machine readable instructions loaded on said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operable to operate or configure programmable logic blocks on said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit, said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is configured to selectively couple with said PROM and receive said first plurality of machine readable instructions in an initial testing configuration and said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is further configured to receive or create a second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions further include instructions operable to configure said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to store said first plurality of machine readable instructions, said second plurality of machine readable instructions, said first plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings, or said second plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit configuration settings on said PROM for later reload or configuration of said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit from said PROM, wherein said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit is also configured to selectively program said power module to select said one of said plurality of different voltages and selectively configure and program one or more of said plurality of programmable DUT I/O elements based on said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein said first and second plurality of machine readable instructions are configured to either reconfigure programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit or be executed by different programmable logic elements within said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to perform said plurality of control section, controller, or programmable logic unit operations; an initial configuration load switch coupled with said third test structure bus configured to transfer a copy of said first plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit to operate said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit in said first testing configuration operable to perform a first plurality of testing operations on said DUT; a timing signal generation section coupled with said third test structure bus operable to supply one or different timing signals to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a programming cable connection coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit adapted to electrically couple with a programming cable configured for receiving and conveying said first plurality of machine readable instructions or said second plurality of machine readable instructions to said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) coupled with said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through coupled with said third test structure bus adapted to indicate user programmable indication criteria settings associated with execution of said first or second plurality of machine readable instructions by said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit by outputting a different light emission associated with predetermined said indication criteria that have been met; and a communication protocol section adapted to transmit DUT test or operation data from said control section, controller, or programmable logic unit through said fourth electrical signal interface with said communication interface to a computer adapted to analyze said data. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification