Testing device and method for testing backplanes and connectors on backplanes

• US 20040008034A1
• Filed: 07/09/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Schrader, Rex M., Mastoris, Steven F., Garland, Glen H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,956,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/538
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2806 Apparatus therefor, e.g. test stations, drivers, analysers, conveyors G01R31/2805, G01R31/281, G01R31/2818 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31716 Testing of input or output with loop-back

Abstract

A testing device for testing a backplane preferably includes an impulse board with a connector for connection to the backplane, where the impulse board sends test signals to the backplane; a receiver board with a connector for connection to the backplane, where the receiver board receives the test signals; and a communication channel between the receiver board and the impulse board through which the receiver board signals to the impulse board results of the test signals.

Claims

1. A testing device for testing a backplane, said testing device comprising:

an impulse board comprising a connector for connection to said backplane, said impulse board sending test signals to said backplane;

a receiver board comprising a connector for connection to said backplane, said receiver board receiving said test signals; and

a communication channel between said receiver board and said impulse board through which said receiver board signals to said impulse board results of said test signals.

2. The testing device of claim 1, wherein said communication channel comprises a wireless communication link between said impulse board and said receiver board.

3. The testing device of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication link comprises radio frequency transmission using pins of said backplane.

4. The testing device of claim 1, wherein said communication channel comprises said backplane.

5. The testing device of claim 1, wherein said communication channel comprises a signal cable connected between said impulse board and said receiver board.

6. The testing device of claim 1, further comprising at least one battery for powering said testing device.

7. The testing device of claim 1, wherein said connectors are Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (cPCI) connectors.

8. The testing device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for indicating results of a test conducted with said test signals.

9. The testing device of claim 8, wherein said indicator comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

10. The testing device of claim 1, wherein said impulse board further comprises a plurality of AND gates receiving test signals returned by said receiver board, said AND gates outputting an operational signal if all expected test signals are received.

11. A method of testing a backplane, said method comprising:

connecting an impulse board said backplane;

connecting a receiver board to said backplane;

sending test signals from said impulse board to said backplane;

receiving said test signals with said receiver board; and

communicating results of said test signals through a communication channel between said receiver board and said impulse board through which said receiver board signals to said impulse board.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said communicating results comprises wirelessly communicating said results through a wireless communication link between said impulse board and said receiver board.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said wirelessly communicating comprises making radio frequency transmission using pins of said backplane.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said communicating results comprises communicating through said backplane.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming said communication channel by connecting a signal cable between said impulse board and said receiver board.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising powering said testing device with at least one battery.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said connectors are Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (cPCI) connectors.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising indicating results of a test conducted with said test signals.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said indicating is performed with an indicator comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising evaluating said results of said test signals with a plurality of AND gates on said impulse board that receive test signals returned by said receiver board, said AND gates outputting an operational signal if all expected test signals are received.

21. A device for testing a backplane, said device comprising:

means for connecting an impulse board said backplane;

means for connecting a receiver board to said backplane;

means for sending test signals from said impulse board to said backplane;

means for receiving said test signals with said receiver board; and

means for communicating results of said test signals between said receiver board and said impulse board through which said receiver board signals to said impulse board.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said means for communicating comprise a wireless communication link between said impulse board and said receiver board.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein said wirelessly communication link comprises radio frequency transmission using pins of said backplane.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein said means for communicating comprise said backplane.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein said means for communicating comprise a signal cable between said impulse board and said receiver board.

26. The device of claim 21, further comprising means for powering said testing device.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said means for powering said testing device comprise at least one battery.

28. The device of claim 21, wherein said means for connecting are Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (cPCI) connectors.

29. The device of claim 21, further comprising means for indicating results of a test conducted with said test signals.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein said means for indicating test results comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

31. The device of claim 21, further comprising means for evaluating said results of said test signals on said impulse board.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein said means for evaluating comprise a plurality of AND gates on said impulse board that receive test signals returned by said receiver board, said AND gates outputting an operational signal if all expected test signals are received.