Method and system for diagnosing a fault or open circuit in a network
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing a fault or open circuit in a network, the method comprising:
- operating a data bus of a network that has a normal high logic level and a normal low logic level consistent with a termination circuit signal applied by one or more network elements of the network;
injecting a test signal into the data bus of the network during a test time period, the test signal having at least one of a greater logic level greater than the normal high logic level of the data bus or a lower logic level lower than the normal low logic level of the data bus;
during the test time period, sensing an aggregate level of an aggregate signal on the data bus, the aggregate signal composed of the termination circuit signal and the test signal; and
determining whether a faulty connection between the data bus and a network device exists, where a faulty connection results in the sensed aggregate level exceeding at least one of the normal high logic level and the normal low logic level.
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Abstract
A fault injection circuit injects a test signal into a data bus with a normal high logic level and a normal low logic level. The test signal has a greater logic level greater than the normal high logic level of the data bus or a lower logic level lower than the normal low logic level of the data bus. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to a voltage level detector for sensing an aggregate level of an aggregate signal on the data bus. The aggregate signal is composed of the termination circuit signal and the test signal. A diagnostic tool determines whether a faulty connection between the data bus and a network device exists, where the sensed aggregate level exceeds at least one of the normal high logic level and the normal low logic level.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for diagnosing a fault or open circuit in a network, the method comprising:
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operating a data bus of a network that has a normal high logic level and a normal low logic level consistent with a termination circuit signal applied by one or more network elements of the network; injecting a test signal into the data bus of the network during a test time period, the test signal having at least one of a greater logic level greater than the normal high logic level of the data bus or a lower logic level lower than the normal low logic level of the data bus; during the test time period, sensing an aggregate level of an aggregate signal on the data bus, the aggregate signal composed of the termination circuit signal and the test signal; and determining whether a faulty connection between the data bus and a network device exists, where a faulty connection results in the sensed aggregate level exceeding at least one of the normal high logic level and the normal low logic level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for diagnosing a fault or open circuit in a network, the system comprising:
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a network comprising a data bus and one or more network elements, the data bus having a normal high logic level and a normal low logic level consistent with a termination circuit signal applied by said one or more network elements of the network; a fault injection circuit for injecting a test signal into the data bus of the network during a test time period, the test signal having at least one of a greater logic level greater than the normal high logic level of the data bus or a lower logic level lower than the normal low logic level of the data bus; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to a voltage level detector for sensing an aggregate level of an aggregate signal on the data bus, the aggregate signal composed of the termination circuit signal and the test signal; a diagnostic tool for determining whether a faulty connection between the data bus and a network device exists, where a faulty connection results in the sensed aggregate level exceeding at least one of the normal high logic level and the normal low logic level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification