Electrical interconnect status monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A monitoring circuit comprising:
- a load interface;
a conductor interface;
a controller configured to operate in a plurality of modes of operation, including a diagnostic mode, a disable mode and an operating mode wherein the disable mode disconnects the load interface from the conductor interface and the operating mode connects the load interface to the conductor interface;
wherein the controller is configured to receive a monitoring signal having known magnitude and frequency parameters and to transmit a signal in response; and
wherein the controller is configured to change an operational parameter as a function of the mode of operation of the controller in response to the monitoring signal.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel methods and apparatus for detecting faulty connections in an electrical system. Exemplary preferred embodiments include basic, ASIC, AC, DC, and RF monitoring techniques and systems for monitoring signals at one or more device loads and analyzing the monitored signals for determining fault conditions at the device loads and/or at the main transmission lines. The invention preferably provides the capability to test and monitor electrical interconnections without fully activating the host system.
83 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A monitoring circuit comprising:
-
a load interface; a conductor interface; a controller configured to operate in a plurality of modes of operation, including a diagnostic mode, a disable mode and an operating mode wherein the disable mode disconnects the load interface from the conductor interface and the operating mode connects the load interface to the conductor interface; wherein the controller is configured to receive a monitoring signal having known magnitude and frequency parameters and to transmit a signal in response; and wherein the controller is configured to change an operational parameter as a function of the mode of operation of the controller in response to the monitoring signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A monitoring system comprising:
-
a controller configured
1) to receive a signal having known magnitude and frequency parameters,
2) to transmit response signals,
3) to encode data into the response signals,
4) to enable a main system to determine whether fault conditions exist by comparing the extracted data with expected data,
5) to enable the main system to monitor current flow through one or more wire lines,
6) to enable the main system to report the fault conditions,
7) to enable the main system to analyze the response signals and determine fault conditions at a selected device load,
8) to enable the main system to isolate a faulty device load from a main line, and,
9) to enable the main system to report load fault conditions, wherein if fault conditions exist in the selected device load, the current in the one or more additional wire lines increases or decreases relative to the main lines; andwherein the controller is configured to operate in a diagnostic mode, a disable mode and an operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A system comprising:
-
a monitoring circuit coupled to a load and at least one conductor, the monitoring circuit having a diagnostic mode, a disable mode and an operating mode, wherein the monitoring circuit can be controlled to be in the disable mode or the operating mode, and wherein the disable mode disconnects the load associated with the monitoring circuit from the at least one conductor and the operating mode connects the load associated with the monitoring circuit to the at least one conductor; wherein the monitoring circuit is configured
1) to receive a monitoring signal from a main system and to transmit response signals to the main system,
2) to enable the main system to determine whether a fault condition exists from the response signals,
3) to enable the main system to disable the load and
4) to receive command signals to command the load to enter a diagnostic mode; andwherein the monitoring circuit is configured to change a parameter to indicate the mode of operation.
-
Specification