Computerized versatile and modular test system for electrical circuits

• US 4,488,299 A
• Filed: 04/13/1982
• Issued: 12/11/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Holzinger, Otto, Wurst, Bert, Vits, Klaus, Fellhauer, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ungerman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US06/367,915
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 371/20, 324/73 AT, 324/73 R, 324/73 PC
• US Class Current: 714/724
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31908 Tester set-up, e.g. configuring the tester to the device under test [DUT], down loading test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31912 Tester/user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence

Abstract

An address and data bus connects a multiplicity of ports into which test modules can be inserted with a microcomputer controlled by a keyboard for performing tests on circuit boards or other electronic units through test plugs that are interconnected with the data ports where the test modules are plugged in. When the test system is put into operation, all of the ports of the data bus are addressed to produce an indication of which ports are occupied by test modules as well as of the nature of the test modules. When it is desired to produce a test, each step of the procedure is performed by operation of a keyboard with reference to available options presented on the computer display on the basis of the configuration of test modules that have been plugged in. Coupling fields are interposed between data ports designed to receive test modules utilizing analog circuits and a test connector for connection to equipment under test. A coupling field has its own data port to enable switching the connection between the test module and the test plug to perform various tests under computer keyboard control. A wide variety of tests can be set up simply by manipulating the keyboard of the computer and the versatility of the system is still further increased by the possibility of plugging in the various kinds of test modules at different data ports and by interchanging the read-only memories of the microcomputer.

Claims

1. A versatile testing system for electrical components and circuits which are in each case accessible by a multiple-contact test connection member, comprising:

at least one multiple-contact test plug capable of mating said multiple-contact connection members of said components and circuits to be tested;

a two-way data and address bus having a plurality of data and address ports, said ports having connection places for plug-in connection,

a microcomputer equipped with a microprocessor, a memory, a keyboard for making test selections and orders and a display unit said microcomputer being connected to said bus and constituted for selectively addressing the several ports of said bus for producing tests and registering the results thereof on said display in response to orders entered from said keyboard, for presenting on said display available options for further orders for completion of a selected test, for indicating an aborted test in response to an order from said keyboard not within said available options, and for addressing all ports of said bus in quick succession in order to display whether test modules are connected to the several ports and if so which modules are so connected;

a set of test modules selectively connectable at connection places to said ports, each of which modules is provided with a coding circuit addressable through a said port of said bus into which it is connectable, for supplying a data word to said microcomputer identifying the nature of the test module, its presence at the said port and its ready-or-not condition, and

connection means at ports of said bus for connecting said at least one test plug directly or indirectly to places at said ports where a plurality of said test modules are respectively connectable,

said microcomputer being also constituted to scan said ports of said bus and to display an indication of test modules connected thereto and of the state of said modules.

2. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 1, in which said connection means includes a coupling field connected to an additional port of said bus for providing indirect connections between said bus and said test plug, comprising interface circuitry between at least one test module utilizing analog measurement circuitry and said test plug.

3. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 2, in which a plurality of said ports are provided for accepting only test modules incorporating test circuitry directly connectable to components or circuits to be tested through a said test plug, and in which a plurality of said ports are also provided for accepting only test modules which include analog circuitry requiring said coupling field for controlling connections between said analog circuitry modules and a said test plug.

4. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 2 or 3, in which said microcomputer is constituted also for programming a said coupling field for conducting a test by means of test modules connected thereto which include said analog circuitry.

5. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 1, in which means are provided in said microcomputer for blocking the operation of said keyboard in response to an order from said keyboard not within said available options.

6. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 1, in which said memory of said microcomputer includes a read-only memory in which port addresses, test module identities, test module functions and displayable indications are stored.

7. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 6, in which said read-only memory is replaceable by at least one other read-only memory interchangeable therewith which is provided as an availale part of the testing system.

8. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 1, in which said microcomputer is constituted to test all the test modules connected to said ports as soon as the testing system is put into operation.

9. A versatile testing system as defined in claim 8, in which said microcomputer is constituted to provide displays of the results of the tests of said test modules made when the testing system is started into operation.