Test device

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables checking whether test execution is possible before turning on the power of the device under test.SOLUTION: A test device comprises an operation display part that conducts test control, a general-purpose measuring instrument, a dedicated tester that handles signal sources that cannot be input or output by the general-purpose measuring instrument, and a changeover usage part that controls the signal system path and connects the device under test, the general-purpose measuring instrument, and the dedicated tester. The operation display part is configured to repeatedly send PING commands to the IP addresses of the dedicated testers that may be connected, and to enable confirmation of whether or not the test items can be performed based on the connection status of the components required for the test before the power of the device under test is turned on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a test apparatus and is applicable, for example, to a portable test apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses that when the name of the device under test is selected, the test control unit reads out the version information and test items of the device under test stored in the memory unit and displays them on the display unit, obtains the version information from the device under test to determine whether the items to be tested need to be updated, and performs the test if the items to be tested do not need to be updated, and that when the device under test is connected to the test equipment via a connection unit, information about the device under test and the items to be tested can be displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-41127 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to check whether or not a test can be performed before powering on the device under test (equipment under test).

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technique that makes it possible to check whether a test can be performed before turning on the power of a device under test. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A brief overview of representative aspects of this disclosure is as follows. That is, the test apparatus includes an operation display unit that controls the test, a general-purpose measuring instrument, a dedicated tester that handles a signal source that cannot be input / output by the general-purpose measuring instrument, and a switching unit that controls the path of the signal system and connects the device under test to the general-purpose measuring instrument and the dedicated tester. The operation display unit is configured to repeatedly send a PING command to the IP address of the dedicated tester that may be connected, and to display whether or not a test item can be performed based on the connection status of components required for the test before turning on the power of the device under test. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to check whether a test can be performed before turning on the power of the device under test. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration image of a test device in a comparative example. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of a connection confirmation screen of a test device in the comparative example and the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image of a power-on screen of a test device in a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing test screen images of the test devices in the comparative example and the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows screen transitions of the test device in the comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a test device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image of a power-on screen of a test device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image of a test screen for confirming a test performed on the test device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing screen transitions of the test device in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a recognition image of a dedicated tester of the test device in the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an image of how path information for a test device is constructed in the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image of construction of path information of a test device in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in order to clarify the description, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. In addition, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and repeated description may be omitted.

[0010] [Test equipment in comparative example] First, the configuration of a test device in a technique (comparative example) that the present inventors have examined prior to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an image of the configuration of a test device in the comparative example.

[0011] The test device in the comparative example has a fixed rack structure and is installed in a building or the like for use. This test device includes a common section consisting of an operation display section 20 that controls tests and multiple general-purpose measuring devices 10, multiple dedicated test devices 12, and multiple switching usage devices 30. In FIG. 1, general-purpose measuring devices A to E are shown as the general-purpose measuring devices 10. Dedicated test devices A to D, Y, and Z are shown as the dedicated test devices 12. Switching usage sections A, B, and X are shown as the switching usage sections 30. In other words, the operation display section 20, the general-purpose measuring devices 10, the dedicated test devices 12, and the switching usage devices 30 are components of the test device. Here, the dedicated test devices 12 handle signal sources that cannot be input or output by the general-purpose measuring devices 10. The multiple dedicated test devices 12 are connected to each switching usage section 30 in a fixed arrangement. For example, dedicated tester A and dedicated tester B are connected to switching use section A, dedicated tester C and dedicated tester D are connected to switching use section B, and dedicated tester Y and dedicated tester B are connected to switching use section X. The test procedure involves connecting each component, turning on the power of the equipment under test, and executing the test.

[0012] As described above, the dedicated tester 12 to be connected to each switching device 30 is fixed. Also, the route information of each switching device 30 held in the operation display unit 20 is notified from the operation display unit 20 to each switching device 30 to construct a signal system. Therefore, for any combination of dedicated tester 12 and switching device 30, a signal system cannot be constructed due to a mismatch in the route information.

[0013] The operation display unit 20 is capable of displaying the screens shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an image of a connection confirmation screen of the test device in the comparative example and the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an image of a power-on screen of the test device in the comparative example. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an image of a test screen of the test device in the comparative example and the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing screen transitions of the test device in the comparative example.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the connection confirmation screen 101 is a screen for confirming the connection of each component, and has an area 101a for displaying the component connection status and a connection confirmation button 101b. When the connection confirmation button 101b is pressed, the operation display unit 20 checks the connection status of the general-purpose measuring instrument 10, the dedicated tester 12, and the switching use instrument 30, and displays the color of each component in the area 101a for displaying the component connection status. For example, a component that is connected is displayed in blue, and a component that is not connected is displayed in red. For example, if there is a connection problem with the general-purpose measuring instrument B, the general-purpose measuring instrument B is displayed in red.

[0015] 3, the power-on screen 102 is a screen for turning on the power of the equipment under test, and has a power-on procedure display area 102a, an equipment under test selection area 102b, and a power-on button 102c. Equipment under test A to Z are displayed in the equipment under test selection area 102b. For example, by selecting equipment under test A in the equipment under test selection area 102b and pressing the power-on button 102c, the equipment under test A is powered on in the procedure displayed in the power-on procedure display area 102a.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the test screen 103 is a screen for performing a test, and has a test name and selection display area 103a, a test result display area 103b, and a test button 103c. Test items 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are displayed as test names in the test name and selection display area 103a. The test name and selection display area 103a can display test items that cannot be tested. For example, the "!" mark is displayed in the selection column to the left of test item 1-2 and test item 3, which indicates that test item 1-2 and test item 3 cannot be tested. For example, if there is a connection failure in the general-purpose measuring device B, it is not possible to know that the test cannot be performed until the power is turned on to the device under test A.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 5, the user interface (UI) of the operation display unit 20 transitions in the order of a connection confirmation screen 101, a power-on screen 102, and a test screen 103. Note that the power-on screen 102 does not transition to the test screen 103 unless the power of the equipment under test is turned on. In other words, it is not possible to transition directly from the connection confirmation screen 101 to the test screen 103. Therefore, it is not possible to check which tests cannot be performed until the power of the equipment under test is turned on. Also, if some tests cannot be performed due to a poor connection status of a certain component, it is time-consuming to turn off the power of the equipment under test, check the reconnection status with the component, and then turn on the power of the equipment under test to perform the test.

[0018] [Overview of the embodiment] The test apparatus in the embodiment is portable and can be used to arbitrarily configure components within a building to perform performance tests on equipment under test.

[0019] (1) This test device makes it possible to confirm and display whether or not a test item can be performed based on the connection status of components required for the test before turning on the power of the device under test. In other words, after checking the connection of components, it makes it possible to display on the UI of the operation display unit, which allows users to confirm whether or not a test can be performed.

[0020] (2) This test equipment makes it possible to configure route information that can configure a signal system with any dedicated tester in a fixed rack structure switching section. Any dedicated tester can be placed when necessary. It is possible to save space with a minimum necessary configuration instead of a fixed type.

[0021] The configuration of the test device in the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the test device in the embodiment.

[0022] The test apparatus 1 is connected to a device under test 2 via a network 3 such as a local area network (LAN) and performs various tests. The test apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 20, a plurality of general-purpose measuring instruments 10-1 to 10-5 (sometimes referred to as general-purpose measuring instruments 10) that perform various measurements, a plurality of dedicated testers 12-1, 12-2 to 12-n (sometimes referred to as dedicated testers 12), and a switching usage unit 30.

[0023] The general-purpose measuring instruments 10-1 to 10-5 are general-purpose devices that output test signals to the equipment under test 2 via the switching usage unit 30 in accordance with instructions from the operation and display unit 20, receive and measure output signals from the equipment under test 2, and output the measurement results to the operation and display unit 20.

[0024] The dedicated testers 12-1 to 12-n are dedicated devices that output test signals to the equipment under test 2 via the switching usage unit 30 in accordance with instructions from the operation and display unit 20, receive and measure the output signals from the equipment under test 2, and output the measurement results to the operation and display unit 20, each of which is different for each test content.

[0025] The switching usage section 30 is connected to the operation display section 20 via a network, and switches between the general-purpose measuring instrument 10 and the dedicated tester 12 connected to the device under test 2 in accordance with a switching control signal from the operation display section 20. The switching usage section 30 includes a plurality of switching usage sections.

[0026] The operation display unit 20 is a computer that controls the entire test, and basically includes a control unit that performs processing, a storage unit that stores processing programs and data, and an interface unit that connects to the network 3, etc. The operation display unit 20 also includes a UI. Various processes described in the embodiments described below are executed by the control unit starting up the processing programs stored in the storage unit. The operation display unit 20 is connected to the general-purpose measuring instrument 10, the switching usage unit 30, and the device under test 2 via the network 3.

[0027] The device under test 2 is, for example, an electronic device (device) mounted on an aircraft or the like, and is the device that is the subject of a test executed by the test apparatus 1. The device under test 2 also includes a plurality of replaceable modules. The device under test 2 connects to the operation display unit 20 via the network 3, and transmits and receives information required for testing. For example, the operation display unit 20 sets various test conditions in the device under test 2, and the device under test 2 transmits a response.

[0028] The operation display unit 20 can display the screens shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 7, and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an image of a power-on screen of the test device in the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an image of a test screen for test confirmation of the test device in the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing screen transitions of the test device in the embodiment.

[0029] It should be noted that general-purpose measuring devices A, B, C, D, and E shown in Fig. 2 correspond to general-purpose measuring devices 10-1 to 10-5 shown in Fig. 6. Dedicated testers A, B, C, D,..., Y, and Z shown in Fig. 2 correspond to dedicated testers 12-1 to 12-n shown in Fig. 6. Switching use units A, B,..., X shown in Fig. 2 are multiple switching use units that make up switching use unit 30 shown in Fig. 6.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 7, the power-on screen 102 is a screen for turning on the power of the device under test 2, and has a power-on procedure display area 102a, a device under test selection area 102b, and a power-on button 102c, similar to the power-on screen shown in Fig. 3. The power-on screen 102 in the embodiment further has a test confirmation button 102d. For example, by selecting the device under test A in the device under test selection area 102b and pressing the power-on button 102c, the device under test A is powered on in the procedure displayed in the power-on procedure display area 102a. For example, by selecting the device under test A in the device under test selection area 102b and pressing the test confirmation button 102d, a transition is made to a test screen 104 for test confirmation.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8, the test screen 104 is a screen for confirming the test, and has a test name and selection display area 104a and a test result display area 104b, similar to the test screen 103 shown in FIG. 4. However, since the power of the equipment under test is not turned on, it does not have the test button shown in FIG. 4. The test name and selection display area 104a can display test items that cannot be tested. For example, the "!" mark is displayed in the selection column to the left of test item 1-2 and test item 3, but test item 1-2 and test item 3 cannot be tested. For example, if there is a connection failure in the general-purpose measuring device B, it is clear that the test cannot be performed even if the power of the equipment under test A is not turned on.

[0032] 9, in the UI of the operation display unit 20, a connection confirmation screen 101 and a power-on screen 102 are displayed in this order, and then the screen transitions to a test screen 103 or a test screen 104 for test confirmation. Note that the power-on screen 102 does not transition to the test screen 103 unless the power of the device under test is turned on. Pressing a test confirmation button 102d on the power-on screen 102 transitions to a test screen 104 for test confirmation. This makes it possible to check which tests cannot be performed without turning on the power of the device under test.

[0033] The construction of a signal system between the switching use section and the dedicated tester will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Figures 10 to 12 are diagrams showing the recognition image of the dedicated tester of the test equipment shown in Figure 6.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 10, the operation display unit 20 connects the switching use unit A (switching use unit 30-1) and the dedicated tester ??? (dedicated tester 12). At this time, the operation display unit 20 and the switching use unit A cannot recognize which dedicated tester 12 is connected to. Therefore, the operation display unit 20 repeatedly transmits a PING command to the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the dedicated tester 12 that may be connected. Here, the IP address is, for example, 192.168.1.100, 192.168.1.101, etc. The PING command is a tool for checking whether computers can communicate with each other using ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol). By transmitting packets to a specified destination (IP address) and receiving those packets, it is possible to check whether the destination can be reached, the arrival time, and if it cannot be reached, an error message is displayed.

[0035] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when there is a response to the PING command from dedicated tester C (dedicated tester 12-3) having an IP address of 192.168.1.102, the operation display unit 20 can identify that “dedicated tester ???” is the dedicated tester C.

[0036] 12, the operation display unit 20 extracts the path information for the dedicated tester C from the group of path information for the signal system stored in the memory unit, and notifies the path information to the switching use unit A. As a result, the switching use unit A holds the path information for the dedicated tester C, and can secure the signal system required for the test.

[0037] According to this embodiment, by displaying a test screen that indicates whether or not the test can be performed, the time required to turn on the power of the device under test is eliminated, improving the efficiency of maintenance work.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the operation display unit identifies which dedicated tester it is and notifies the switching usage unit of the path information, so that a signal system can be automatically established between the switching usage unit and the dedicated tester, and it can be placed when necessary to save space.

[0039] The disclosure made by the present inventors has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Test equipment 10 General purpose measuring instruments 12. Dedicated test equipment 20...Operation display section 30...Switching section

Claims

1. The test system includes an operation display unit for controlling the test, a general-purpose measuring instrument, a dedicated tester for handling a signal source that cannot be input / output by the general-purpose measuring instrument, and a switching unit for controlling the path of the signal system and connecting the device under test to the general-purpose measuring instrument and the dedicated tester, The operation display unit is configured to repeatedly send a PING command to the IP address of the dedicated tester that has the potential to be connected, and to display a confirmation of whether or not the test item can be performed based on the connection status of the components required for the test before turning on the power to the device under test.

2. 2. The test device according to claim 1, The operation and display unit is configured to identify the dedicated tester and notify the switching and use unit of path information, thereby constructing a signal system between the switching and use unit and the dedicated tester.

3. 3. The test device according to claim 1, The operation display unit includes: (a) capable of displaying a power-on screen having a selection area for a device under test, a power-on button, and a test confirmation button, a test screen having a test button, and a test confirmation screen; (b) when the test confirmation button is pressed on the power-on screen, transition is made to the test confirmation screen of the selected device under test without turning on the power of the device under test selected on the power-on screen; (c) transmitting the PING command via a network to check the dedicated tester connected to the switching usage unit; (d) for a dedicated tester that responds to the PING command, extracting route information for the dedicated tester from a group of route information of a signal system, and notifying the switching usage unit of the route information; The switching usage unit is configured to hold routing information for the dedicated tester.

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