Switching equipment for testing apparatus
First Claim
1. In a testing apparatus for measuring with a plurality of instruments the response of a unit under test, which unit has a plurality of test terminals, switching equipment comprising:
- a common signal bus;
a plurality of switching networks, each having at least two active states, in each of its active states said switching networks being operable to connect at least one of said plurality of test terminals to said bus, each of said networks having a selection input operable to select its states;
a plurality of switching couplers each having a control terminal and each having a switched input connected to a different corresponding one of said instruments, each of said couplers being operable by its control terminal to connect and disconnect its corresponding one of said instruments to said common signal bus; and
control means connected to each of said switching networks and couplers for providing a separate signal to each selection input and each control terminal, said control means being operable for each of said test terminals to connect it to at least one of said instruments through one of said switching networks, said bus and one of said switching couplers, said control means being operable to substitute one of said instruments for another so that said common bus can be time shared.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Switching equipment in a testing apparatus employs a common signal bus (B1, B2), a plurality of switching networks (14), a plurality of switching couplers (28, 30, 32) and a control device (40). The testing apparatus can measure with a plurality of instruments (26) the response of a unit under test (10), which unit has a plurality of test terminals (12). The switching networks (14) each have at least two active states. In each of its active states the switching networks (14) are operable to connect at least one of the plurality of test terminals (12) to the bus (B1, B2). Each of the networks has a selection input (24) operable to select its state. The switching couplers (28, 30, 32) each has a control terminal (34, 36, 38). Each also has a switched input connected to a different corresponding one of the instruments. Each of these couplers (28, 30, 32) is operable by its control terminal (34, 36, 38) to connect and disconnect its corresponding one of the instruments (26) to the bus (B1, B2). The control device (40) is connected to each of the switching networks (14) and couplers (28, 30, 32) for providing a separate signal to each selection input (24) and each control terminal (34, 36, 38). The control device (40) is operable for each of the test terminals (12) to connect it through the bus (B1, B2) to at least one of the instruments (26).
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a testing apparatus for measuring with a plurality of instruments the response of a unit under test, which unit has a plurality of test terminals, switching equipment comprising:
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a common signal bus; a plurality of switching networks, each having at least two active states, in each of its active states said switching networks being operable to connect at least one of said plurality of test terminals to said bus, each of said networks having a selection input operable to select its states; a plurality of switching couplers each having a control terminal and each having a switched input connected to a different corresponding one of said instruments, each of said couplers being operable by its control terminal to connect and disconnect its corresponding one of said instruments to said common signal bus; and control means connected to each of said switching networks and couplers for providing a separate signal to each selection input and each control terminal, said control means being operable for each of said test terminals to connect it to at least one of said instruments through one of said switching networks, said bus and one of said switching couplers, said control means being operable to substitute one of said instruments for another so that said common bus can be time shared. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method employing bus lines for measuring with a plurality of instruments the response of a unit under test, said unit having a plurality of test terminals, said method including the steps of:
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connecting a pair of said test terminals together and, through said bus lines, to a first one of said instruments; isolating said pair of said test terminals; connecting through said bus lines a given one of said instruments to one of said pair of test terminals; and connecting through said bus lines a different one of said instruments to a different one of said test terminals.
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Specification