Electrical connectivity test apparatus and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of drivers each configured to transmit data by way of a low-voltage differential signal;
a plurality of receivers each configured to receive a respective one of the low-voltage differential signals and to provide a corresponding single-ended output signal, the plurality of receivers coupled to the plurality of drivers by way of an electrical connector;
circuitry configured to provide a feedback signal by way of an electrical pathway, the feedback signal corresponding to a voltage averaging test function of the plurality of single-ended output signals, the voltage averaging test function combining non-zero voltage output signals provided simultaneously by at least two of the plurality of receivers; and
a controller configured to issue a connectivity test result in accordance with an expected value of the voltage averaging test function of the feedback signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided related to testing electrical connectivity. A sequence of distinct test data signal patterns is issued. The test data signals are propagated by way of respective pathways and electrical connectors. A feedback signal is generated in accordance with a test function for each of the test data signal patterns. A test results message is generated in accordance with the feedback signals, which can include specific diagnostic or identifying information.
10 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a plurality of drivers each configured to transmit data by way of a low-voltage differential signal; a plurality of receivers each configured to receive a respective one of the low-voltage differential signals and to provide a corresponding single-ended output signal, the plurality of receivers coupled to the plurality of drivers by way of an electrical connector; circuitry configured to provide a feedback signal by way of an electrical pathway, the feedback signal corresponding to a voltage averaging test function of the plurality of single-ended output signals, the voltage averaging test function combining non-zero voltage output signals provided simultaneously by at least two of the plurality of receivers; and a controller configured to issue a connectivity test result in accordance with an expected value of the voltage averaging test function of the feedback signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An electronic circuit configured to:
-
respectively assert a plurality of test data signals simultaneously to a plurality of receivers so as to define a unique pattern for each step of a test sequence; receive a respective voltage averaged feedback signal from the plurality of receivers for each step in the test sequence, the voltage averaged feedback signal combining non-zero voltage output signals provided simultaneously by at least two of the plurality of receivers; and provide a connectivity test result message in accordance with an expected value of the voltage averaged feedback signals, the electronic circuit configured to evaluate the expected value of the voltage averaged feedback signals in accordance with a tolerance. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method, comprising:
-
issuing a sequence of unique test patterns within an electronic circuit, each test pattern defined by a plurality of test data signals simultaneously asserted at respective logic levels; propagating the test patterns simultaneously through a plurality of drivers to a plurality of receivers by way of at least one electrical connector; generating a serial data feedback signal for each of the test patterns in accordance with a voltage averaging test function, the voltage averaging test function combining non-zero voltage output signals provided simultaneously by at least two of the plurality of receivers; evaluating an expected value of the voltage averaging test function for each of the feedback signals; and providing a test results message in accordance with the evaluating. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification