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Fault identification system

  • US 5,592,614 A
  • Filed: 09/04/1991
  • Issued: 01/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for identifying faults in an electrical circuit intended to provide a plurality of outputs, each output being in response to at least one predetermined set of circuit conditions, the system comprisinga) means storing data describing individual components of an electrical circuit and interconnections at circuit nodes between said components that together define the topology of the electrical circuit,b) means for inputting data to the system identifying a fault symptom indicating that, for one predetermined set of said circuit conditions, an intended output is not received or measured,c) means for accessing stored data describing the electrical characteristic of selected components of said circuits a fault in any one of which said selected components could be a cause of the said fault symptom,d) means for directly calculating, from the accessed data describing electrical characteristics of said selected components, expected electrical parameter values at predetermined measurement points in a non-defective sub-circuit defined by said selected components and said interconnections therebetween given the said predetermined set of circuit conditions,e) means for selecting measurement points in said sub-circuit at which points said electrical parameter values are to be measured,(f) means for selectively inputting measurement data indicating the electrical parameter values measured at said selected measurement points,g) means for providing a comparison of said input measurement data with said calculated expected electrical parameter values, andh) means for identifying at least one most likely faulty component from the comparison of said input measurement data with said calculated expected electrical parameter values.

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