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System and method for determining attributes and coupling characteristics of components by comparatively observing provided reference signal

  • US 5,892,973 A
  • Filed: 11/15/1996
  • Issued: 04/06/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for determining predetermined characteristics of a system component couplable to a computer backplane including an attribute monitoring unit associated with said computer backplane, said method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a reference signal at said attribute monitoring unit;

    supplying said reference signal on at least one signal line to said system component, the at least one signal line being a first signal line;

    monitoring said reference signal at said attribute monitoring unit on said at least one signal line;

    initially determining whether said system component is properly coupled to said computer backplane by comparatively observing if said reference signal on said first signal line is substantially unaltered from said reference signal provided in said attribute monitoring unit; and

    additionally supplying said reference signal on a second signal line, to said system component;

    further determining said system component is not electrically coupled to said computer backplane if said reference signal on said first and second signal lines is substantially unaltered from said reference signal provided in said attribute monitoring unit; and

    alternatively determining said system component is only partially electrically coupled to said computer backplane if said reference signal on only one of said first and second signal lines is substantially unaltered from said reference signal provided in said attribute monitoring unit.

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