Self test, monitoring, and diagnostics in grouped circuitry modules

• US 7,683,630 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries Incorporated (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries Incorporated (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Almonte, Kenneth V.
• Primary Examiner(s): NATALINI, JEFF WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US11/565,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20080133153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 324/548
• US Class Current: 324/548
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/016 Testing of capacitors measuring capacitance G01R27/2605

Abstract

A rotary capacitor electrical test system for providing a power source to a capacitor under electrical test can include at least one programmable voltage source, at least one programmable current source, and a controller for programming the voltage and current sources. Random access, non-volatile, memory can be provided for storing information and for providing read/write capability for the controller. At least one digital/analog converter can communicate between the controller and the programmable voltage and current sources. A diagnostic program is operable through the controller for testing internal integrity of basic input/output functions of at least some subsystems. A circuit health monitoring program can operate through the controller for periodically testing and determining internal integrity of at least some subsystems. A self test program can operate through the controller for determining if at least some internal subsystems are working properly on a test/fail basis.

Claims

1. In an electrical test system for providing a power source to each of a plurality of electrical components under electrical test, the test system to be in electrical contact with each electrical component to be tested by measuring at least one voltage value and at least one current value for each electrical component under electrical test, the improvement comprising:

at least one programmable voltage source coupled to a respective voltage output channel;

at least one programmable current source coupled to a respective current output channel;

a controller configured to program a voltage source of the at least one programmable voltage source to deliver a programmed voltage value to its respective voltage output channel and to independently program a current source of the at least one programmable current source to deliver a programmed current value to its respective current output channel;

random access, non-volatile, memory for storing information and for providing read/write interface capability for the controller;

at least one digital/analog converter for communicating between the controller and the programmable voltage and current sources; and

a host computer in communication with the controller for running a self test program to set at least one programmable value and to receive back a measured value to test at least one complete subsystem through the controller to determine if the tested complete subsystem is operating properly.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a field programmable gate array.

3. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

an output voltage sensor for measuring an output voltage value of the voltage source at its respective voltage output channel and in communication with the controller, the controller configured to compare the output voltage value to the programmed voltage value to determine if the programmed voltage value has been successfully delivered.

4. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

an output current sensor for measuring an output current value of the current source at its respective current output channel and in communication with the controller, the controller configured to compare the output current value to the programmed current value to determine if the programmed current value has been successfully delivered.

5. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

a diagnostic program operable through the controller for testing internal integrity of basic input/output functions of at least some subsystems.

6. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

a circuit health monitoring program operable through the controller for periodically testing and determining internal integrity of at least some subsystems.

7. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

a self test program operable through the controller for determining if at least some internal subsystems are working properly on a test/fail basis.

8. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the at least one programmable current source and the at least one programmable voltage source further comprises:

five independently controlled programmable current sources; and

two independently controlled programmable voltage sources.

9. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the programmed voltage value is a test voltage waveform.

10. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the programmed current value is a test current waveform.

11. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one temperature sensor for monitoring the programmable voltage and current sources.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein the controller compares a measured temperature value to determine if a threshold value has been exceeded and, if the threshold value has been exceeded, the controller shuts down a corresponding voltage and current source subsystem generating excess heat sensed by the measured temperature value determined to be over the threshold value.

13. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the controller interacts with information stored in random access non-volatile memory and the information is data selected from a group consisting of cumulative board operating time, maximum board operating temperature, average board operating temperature, maximum board output condition, average board output condition, internal board identification information, electronic board serial number, board manufacturing date, board manufacturing location, board firmware version, board software version, average ambient temperature, maximum ambient temperature, average heat sink temperature, maximum heat sink temperature, average voltage output, maximum voltage output, average current output, maximum current output, last circuit test date, last circuit test result, and any combination thereof.

14. An electrical test system for providing a power source to an electrical component under electrical test comprising:

at least one programmable voltage source;

at least one programmable current source;

a controller for programming the voltage and current sources, wherein the controller programs an output of a test voltage waveform and a test current waveform for delivery to at least one output channel;

random access, non-volatile, memory for storing information and for providing read/write interface capability for the controller, wherein the controller interacts with information stored in the random access non-volatile memory, and the information is data selected from a group consisting of cumulative board operating time, maximum board operating temperature, average board operating temperature, maximum board output conditions, average board output conditions internal board identification information, electronic board serial number, board manufacturing date, board manufacturing location, board firmware version, board software version, average ambient temperature, maximum ambient temperature, average heat sink temperature, maximum heat sink temperature, average voltage output, maximum voltage output, average current output, maximum current output maximum current output, and any combination thereof;

at least one digital/analog converter for communicating between the controller and the programmable voltage and current sources;

at least one temperature sensor for monitoring the programmable voltage and current sources and in communication with the controller for determining if a threshold temperature value has been exceeded;

an output voltage sensor for measuring an output voltage value and in communication with the controller for determining if a programmed voltage value from the programmable voltage source has been successfully delivered;

an output current sensor for measuring an output current value and in communication with the controller for determining if a programmed current value from the programmable current source has been successfully delivered; and

a host computer in communication with the controller for running a self test program to set at least one programmable value and to receive back a measured value to test at least one complete subsystem through the controller to determine if the tested complete subsystem is operating properly.

15. The electrical test system of claim 14 further comprising:

a diagnostic program operable through the controller for testing internal integrity of basic input/output functions of at least some subsystems.

16. The electrical test system of claim 14 further comprising:

a circuit health monitoring program operable through the controller for periodically testing and determining internal integrity of at least some subsystems.

17. The electrical test system of claim 14 further comprising:

a self test program operable through the controller for determining if at least some internal subsystems are working properly on a test/fail basis.