Method for transferring and confirming transfer of predefined data to a device under test (DUT) during a test sequence

• US 10,296,433 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LitePoint Corporation (Teradyne Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: LitePoint Corporation (Teradyne Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olgaard, Christian Volf, Yin, Sheguang, Lukez, John Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Loan L.T.
• Application Number:
  US13/486,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20130326274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,545 Days
• Field of Search: 714 43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/263 Generation of test inputs, e.g. test vectors, patterns or sequences ; with adaptation of the tested hardware for testability with external testers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2733 Test interface between tester and unit under test

Abstract

A method for testing a device under test (DUT) during a test sequence. In accordance with one embodiment, during a regular, pre-defined test sequence, data packets are transferred from a tester to a device under test (DUT) containing data related to at least one of an identification parameter of the DUT, an operational characteristic of the DUT and a request for data. Examples of such transferred data include address data for identifying the DUT (e.g., a unique media access control (MAC) address) and calibration data for controlling an operational characteristic of the DUT (e.g., signal power levels, signal frequencies or signal modulation characteristics). In accordance with another embodiment, the DUT retrieves and transmits data to the tester, either in response to the request for data or as a preprogrammed response to its synchronization with the tester.

Claims

1. A method for programming a device under test (DUT) during a test sequence, comprising:

synchronizing a tester and a DUT, wherein said DUT has not yet been identified by a unique identification parameter; and

following said synchronizing, receiving from said tester with said DUT data including a new unique identification parameter for said DUT;

programming a non-volatile memory of said DUT with at least said new unique identification parameter of said DUT, followed by and independent of a signal from said tester,

activating, with said DUT, said new unique identification parameter of said DUT, and

transmitting, with said DUT, a data packet signal that includes said new unique identification parameter of said DUT.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronizing a tester and a DUT comprises:

transmitting, with said tester, a synchronization initiation signal; and

transmitting, with said DUT, a synchronization confirmation signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

following said synchronizing, transmitting, with said tester, a data signal including one or more data packets containing said new unique identification parameter of said DUT;

transmitting, with said DUT, a response signal acknowledging receipt of said data signal by said DUT; and

transmitting, with said DUT, another response signal in response to said request for data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said transmitting, with said tester, a data signal including one or more data packets containing said new unique identification parameter of said DUT comprises transmitting, with said tester, address data for identifying said DUT.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said data packet transmitted by said DUT includes said new unique identification parameter of said DUT, and further comprising:

decoding, with said tester, said data packet transmitted by said DUT; and

comparing, with said tester, said decoded data packet and said new unique identification parameter of said DUT transmitted by said tester as part of said data signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, with said tester, said data packet transmitted by said DUT.

7. A method for programming a device under test (DUT) during a test sequence, comprising:

receiving, with a DUT, a synchronization initiation signal from a tester, wherein said DUT has not yet been identified by a unique identification parameter;

transmitting, with said DUT, a synchronization confirmation signal; and

following said synchronization, receiving from said tester with said DUT data including a new unique identification parameter for said DUT;

programming a non-volatile memory of said DUT with at least said new unique identification parameter of said DUT, followed by and independent of a signal from said tester,

activating, with said DUT, said new unique identification parameter of said DUT, and

transmitting, with said DUT, a data packet signal that includes said programmed data representing a unique identification parameter of said DUT.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said following said synchronization, receiving and programming data from said tester including said new unique identification parameter of said DUT comprises receiving, with said DUT from said tester, a data signal including one or more data packets containing said new unique identification parameter of said DUT or a request for data, and further comprising:

transmitting, with said DUT, a response signal acknowledging receipt of said data signal by said DUT;

or

transmitting, with said DUT, another response signal in response to said request for data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said receiving, from said tester with said DUT a data signal including one or more data packets containing said new unique identification parameter of said DUT or a request for data comprises receiving, with said DUT from said tester, address data for identifying said DUT.