Cable, test and measurement system, and method for demonstrating cable wear.

Abstract

To manage the soundness of an electrical cable.SOLUTION: A cable 106 is configured to be repeatedly connected to a test measurement device, and repeated connection causes degradation of the cable 106. The cable 106 includes a condition indicator 110 disposed on the cable 106 and configured to be updated with each successive connection of the cable 106 to the test measurement device 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a test measurement system for measuring one or more signals from a device under test (DUT) via one or more cables, and more particularly to a system for managing the integrity of at least one electrical cable or fixture of one or more cables.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional testing of DUTs, it is often necessary to connect a test measurement device to the DUT, usually using a test cable or probe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, these physical cables and test probes are often the most used and worn devices within the test system. Worn cables may not operate as designed and can introduce errors and inaccuracies into the test system. However, many of these worn cables may not readily exhibit signs of wear, so the user may not notice that the test setup is causing errors and inconsistencies in the results and may spend a significant amount of time troubleshooting.

[0005] Embodiments of the disclosed technology address these and other deficiencies of the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This application discloses a test and measurement system that uses a cable that is repeatedly inserted into or connected to a device such as a test and measurement apparatus or a DUT. The test and measurement system may include a cable status indicator located either on the cable itself or within the test and measurement apparatus, which is updated with each successive insertion of the cable into the apparatus.

[0007] The aspects, features, and effects of the embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clear from the attached drawings and the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram of the test measurement system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a cable connector according to an example of the disclosed technology. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a status indicator on a device, based on the disclosed technology. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the disclosed technology, illustrating a wear indicator on a conductor. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a wear indicator on a conductor according to another example of the disclosed technology. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a cable, device, and status indicator according to an example of the disclosed technology. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a connector with a status indicator according to an example of the disclosed technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 shows an exemplary test and measurement system by example of the disclosed technology. The test and measurement system 100 may include, but is not limited to, test and measurement devices 102 such as an oscilloscope, vector network analyzer, margin tester, or bit error rate tester (BERT). The test and measurement devices 102 may include a display 112. The test and measurement devices 102 can be connected to the DUT 104 by one or more cables or probes 106. In Figure 1, cable 106 is connected to input port 108 of the test and measurement device.

[0010] Although Figure 1 shows a coaxial cable 106, the cables and probes are not limited to these types of cables, but any cable can be used, such as high-density cables, plug cables, barrel cables, or voltage or current probes. Any cable or probe that is repeatedly inserted into devices such as the test measurement device 102 or DUT 104 may be used.

[0011] The cable 106 may have a status indicator 110. The status indicator 110 may be any mechanism that indicates the status or integrity of the cable 106. For example, the status indicator 110 may be a mechanical status indicator that can count the number of times the cable 106 has been inserted into the device, a wear indicator, or an onboard electronic status indicator. Although a single status indicator 110 is shown in Figure 1, in some examples, status indicators 110 may be provided at both ends of the cable or connector / adapter 106. The status indicator 110 may be located on or inside the connector or cable assembly of the cable 106.

[0012] Figure 2 shows an example of a mechanical condition indicator according to the disclosed technology. Figure 2 shows the end of a high-density cable 200. However, as those skilled in the art will see, the mechanical condition indicator in Figure 2 may be used not only for high-density cables but also for any cable connector or cable assembly.

[0013] In this example, the mechanical condition indicator 202 has a mechanical wheel, like a wheel of numbers. The mechanical condition indicator 202 rotates to a new number each time a cable is inserted into the device. In some examples, the color of the numbers may change to indicate the remaining service life of the cable 200. The numbers on the mechanical condition indicator 202 may start in green and change to red as cables 200 are inserted successively. For example, the numbers may change from green to orange to red, where red indicates that the cable 200 is worn out and needs to be replaced. Any number of colors can be used.

[0014] In some examples, the mechanical condition indicator 202 may count down to zero, rather than count up, to evaluate how many more times the cable 200 will be inserted. However, in both embodiments, the mechanical condition indicator 202 is adjusted based on each successive insertion of the cable 200 into the device. Allowing the user to see the number of cable 200 insertions can provide useful information, such as ensuring the test results of the device under test. Although a numbered wheel is illustrated, the numbers do not need to be displayed on the wheel; only the color of the wheel may change each time the cable 200 is inserted into the device.

[0015] The status indicator 202 may rotate when pin 204 is pressed. For example, pin 204 may be pushed inward when the cable interface 206 is inserted into the device. Pressing pin 204 can cause the status indicator 202 to update with each new insertion. Although pin 204 is shown within the interface 206 of the cable 200, pin 204 may be located anywhere on the connector 210 from which pin 204 can be pressed when the interface 206 is inserted into the device.

[0016] However, examples of the disclosed technology are not limited to the mechanical state indicator 202 and pin 204 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the state indicator 202 may be a digital screen that can output the number of times the cable 200 has been inserted into the device.

[0017] Rather than a mechanical pin 204, a sensor may be provided on one of the test measurement devices for the cable 200. The sensor can sense when the cable is inserted into the device and can increase or decrease the state indicator 202. Examples of such sensors may include an optical sensor, a Hall effect sensor, and a magnet. Any sensor that can sense when the cable 200 is inserted into the test measurement device may be used.

[0018] In some examples, the cable connector 210 may have an optional block mechanism 208 that extends when the life of the cable 200 ends. For example, when the state indicator 202 reaches a certain number of insertions, a block mechanism 208 such as a pin as shown in FIG. 2 may extend from the surface of the cable connector 210 to prevent the interface 206 from being inserted into the device.

[0019] Although the block mechanism 208 is shown on the surface of the interface 206, the block mechanism 208 may be disposed at any position on the cable connector interface 206 that prevents the interface 206 from being inserted into the device. For example, the block mechanism 208 may have a bar that extends directly outward from the interface 206, or may extend across the interface 206 to prevent the interface 206 from being inserted into the device. In another example, the block mechanism 208 may have a telescoping cover that extends from either the top or bottom surface of the interface 206 to prevent insertion of the cable 200 into the device.

[0020] In some examples, the block mechanism 208 may be one or more retracing pins that prevent engagement between the cable 200 and the interface 206. In another example, the block mechanism 208 may be a digital block mechanism rather than a physical block mechanism. The processor of the test measurement device 102 can prevent measurements from being made using the cable 106.

[0021] Alternatively, in some examples, the mechanical state indicator 202 may be disposed on the test measurement device 102 rather than on the cable 200 itself, as shown in FIG. 3. The mechanical state indicator 202 may be located adjacent to the port 108 into which the cable 106 is inserted. Similar to the pin 204, a pin (not shown in FIG. 3) may be provided in the port 108, which may update the mechanical state indicator 202 when the cable 106 is inserted.

[0022] In some examples, a sensor may be provided within the test measurement device 102, which may update the state indicator 202 when the cable 106 is inserted into the port. Also, although not shown in FIG. 3, a block mechanism similar to the block mechanism 208 may also be provided within the port 108 to prevent the cable 106 from being inserted when the state indicator 202 reaches a certain value, similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the mechanical state indicator 202 can be reset when a user purchases a new cable 106.

[0023] In FIG. 3, the mechanical state indicator 202 is shown on the test measurement device 102, but the state indicator 202 may be provided for any type of device into which the cable 106 is inserted, including the device under test 104.

[0024] In some examples, the condition indicator may be a wear indicator, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the end of a conductor 400 of a cable connector such as a BNC, plug, or barrel-style connector. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the cable may have additional components such as sheathing or additional conductors. In Figure 4, a single conductor 400 is shown for ease of illustration. The conductor 400 may have one or more wear bars 402. In Figure 4, three wear bars 402 are shown, but as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any number of wear bars may be provided on the conductor 400.

[0025] Each wear bar 402 may contain a different composite material, which shares similar electrical properties with the conductor 400 but has different material properties. Examples of composite materials that may be used include plastics, ceramics, copper alloys, or gold alloys. For example, the first wear bar 402 will wear out faster, and the last wear bar 402 will wear out at a slower pace. The disappearance of the wear bars 402 would warn the user that the cable 106 is nearing the end of its life. However, the end of the conductor 400 would be visible to the user through the connector.

[0026] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, the conductor 500 of the cable connector may be wrapped in a number of different composite materials 502, 504, and 506, each having similar electrical properties to the conductor 500 but different material properties. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the conductor 500 covered with three different composite materials 502, 504, and 506. Although three materials are shown, the examples of the disclosed technology are not limited to three, and any number of composite materials may be used, such as a single composite material or more than three composite materials. Each of the composite materials 502, 504, and 506 may have a different color. As the cable 106 is repeatedly inserted, the composite materials 502, 504, and 506 will wear down and reflect the condition of the cable 106. In some examples, the color may not be visible to the user but may be visible to an image capture device, such as infrared paint.

[0027] As those skilled in the art will see, the cable 106 may have one or more sheathing layers around one or more conductors 500. In some examples, rather than having many different composite materials, one of the sheathing layers of the cable 106 may be encased in a polymer that changes color or provides other types of visible indicators as electricity passes through the polymer. In some examples, the color may not be visible to the user, such as infrared paint, but may be visible to an image capture device.

[0028] For example, this polymer may be an electrochromic polymer. This polymer can be designed to change color when electricity passes through it beyond a set lifespan. For example, this polymer can change from green to red when it exceeds 1000 milliampere-hours (mAh). Examples of disclosed technologies are not limited to this set lifespan, and the polymer may be selected based on the expected lifespan of cable 106. The polymer can also indicate damage / misuse of cable 106 due to heat (thermochromic), drop, pressure or overturning (piezochromic), or impact damage.

[0029] In some examples, the test measurement system 100 may include an image capture device (not shown) which can obtain an image of the condition indicator 110 if the condition indicator 110 is a physical condition indicator 110 such as a wear bar, polymer, or mechanical numerical indicator. The image capture device can transmit the image of the condition indicator 110 to a processor which may be located in the test measurement device 112, the cloud, or any other device of the test measurement system 100.

[0030] The processor can analyze the image to determine changes in the color of the status indicator 110. For example, if the status indicator 110 contains infrared paint, the processor can determine the visible percentage of the infrared paint, the location of wear on the infrared paint, and other factors that can be translated into health indicators for the user, thereby predicting when and why the cable may fail.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a test measurement system according to an example of the disclosed technology. The cable 600 may have a connector 602, which may also be called a cable assembly, and has an interface 604 that can interact with the interface 606 of the device 608. The interface 606 of the device 600 may be, for example, a port 108 as shown in Figure 1.

[0032] Connector 602 may have a housing that contains memory 610 which acts as a status indicator. In some examples, the housing may also have an optional battery 612. The test measurement device 608 includes a controller 614, a display 616, memory 618 and bio Option of A tester 620 may be included. Furthermore, the test and measurement device 608 may have additional components (not shown), such as a user input section or additional operating circuits, although this is not limited to these components.

[0033] The memory 610 in connector 602 may be updated each time interface 604 is plugged into interface 606. If battery 612 is not included, the memory 610 may operate on power supplied by the test measurement device 608 via interface 606. In another example, battery 612 in connector 602 operates the memory 610 regardless of whether the test measurement device 608 has the ability to transmit power to cable 600 via interface 606.

[0034] The status indicator or memory 610 may be configured or set to store information related to the cable 600, such as, but not limited to, the number of power cycles sensed or detected by the cable 600, the number of hours the cable 600 was in active use, the test results of the status, the identification of the last device that used the cable 600, the unique identifier of the cable 600, the last operator using the cable 600, the physical or geographical location of the last device to which the cable 600 was plugged, the batch identification number, and the manufacturing date. Data related to the memory may be received from the test measurement device 608 (such as the controller 614) via interfaces 606 and 604.

[0035] When plugged into the test and measurement device 608, information from memory 610 is transmitted via interfaces 604 and 606 and displayed to the user on display 616 or transmitted to a remote device for the user to view. In some examples, if memory 610 contains indicators that the cable is nearing the end of its lifespan, such as the number of power cycles exceeding a threshold or the cable test showing degradation, controller 614 may output such indicators to the user on display 616 or to a remote device. In some examples, controller 614 may automatically send a message via a transmitter (not shown) to order a new cable through a subscription service.

[0036] In some examples, the test measurement device 608 may include a tester 620. The tester 620 may output a known electrical signal to the cable 600 via interface 606. The tester 620 can then measure the response from the cable 600. Based on the response from the cable 600, the tester 620 can display the status of the cable 600 on display 616. This status may include, for example, an estimate of the remaining lifespan of the cable 600, or the difference from a 100% unused cable expressed as a percentage. The response of the cable 600 may be compared to a reference response for an unused cable. Based on this difference, the controller 614 and the tester 620 can determine the remaining service life or status of the cable 600. The test results from the tester 620 may be stored in memory 618. These results can also be used to readjust the parameters of the cable 106 so that it conforms to the test procedure under known normal operating conditions.

[0037] The tester 620 can be accessed either by the user interface (not shown) of the test measurement device 608 or by a button or actuator (known) on the test measurement device 608. In some examples, a button or actuator on connector 602 can transmit a signal via interfaces 604 and 606, causing the tester 620 to output a test signal.

[0038] If, based on the data in memory 610 or the output of tester 620, it is determined that cable 600 is no longer in good condition, a blocking mechanism, such as the blocking mechanism 208 described above, may be deployed to prevent cable 600 from being inserted into the test measurement device 608. The blocking mechanism may be any of the blocking mechanisms described above that prevent connection of cable 600 to the test measurement device 608. For example, the blocking mechanism 208 may be a digital blocking mechanism in controller 614, as described above, which prevents a test from being performed when cable 602 is detected as damaged or at the end of its lifespan.

[0039] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the cable connector 700. The cable connector 700 includes an interface 702 that connects to a port on the test and measurement device. The connector 700 may also have a tester 704, memory 706, battery 708, and status indicator 710.

[0040] The cable connector 700 may have a self-tester 704 similar to the tester 620 in Figure 6. The tester 704 can be engaged by pressing a button or other actuator (not shown) on the connector 700. The tester 704 can output a known electrical pulse (waveform) through the cable and measure the cable's response to determine the cable's condition. The tester 704 and the condition indicator 710 may have a controller that can compare the cable's response to the known electrical pulse against a standard. Based on the comparison, the condition indicator 710 can output the cable's condition.

[0041] For example, the status indicator 710 can output the cable status on a display, such as a small LED display on the cable connector 700. In another example, the status indicator 710 may involve a fill-in light bar to indicate the remaining expected lifespan of the cable. In some examples, the status indicator 710 may include a color-changing (color-variable) material displayed on the connector 700. Based on the output of the tester 704, a specific signal is sent to the color-variable material, causing the material to change color to indicate the cable's lifespan. In some examples, the color-variable material of the status indicator 710 may only be visible with an image capture device.

[0042] In addition to the tester 704, memory 706 may store information related to the cable as part of the status indicator 710. This information may be passed to the device when the interface 702 is plugged into the test measurement device, similar to the cable 600 described above. Memory 706 may store, but is not limited to, the number of times the cable has been plugged in, the number of hours the cable has been in active use, the identification information of the device to which the cable was last used, the cable's unique identifier, the last operator to use the cable, the physical or geographical location of the device to which the cable was last plugged in, the batch ID number, and the manufacturing date.

[0043] As with the other examples described above, if it is determined that the cable 700 is no longer in good condition based on the data in memory 706 or the output of tester 704, a blocking mechanism 208, such as the blocking mechanism 208 described above, may be deployed to prevent the cable 700 from being inserted into the test measurement device. The blocking mechanism may be any of the blocking mechanisms described above that prevent the cable 700 from being connected to the test measurement device.

[0044] Any combination of the above-mentioned status indicators from Figures 2 to 7 can be used. For example, tester 620 or 704 can be used in combination with the mechanical indicators shown in Figures 2 to 5 to provide a preliminary check of the cable condition (backup check). Furthermore, if the test measurement device receives information that the cable is nearing the end of its lifespan, either through information stored in memory 610 or memory 706 or through tester 620 or 704, the test measurement device can warn the user to purchase a new cable, or, if the user has a subscription service, send a message to automatically purchase the cable on behalf of the user.

[0045] Onboard memory 610 or 706 may also be used in some cases for simulation and traceability reasons related to cable 600 or connector 700. Cable health can be stored in onboard memory 610 or 706 over time, and as the cable goes through its product lifecycle, the processor in the test measurement system 100 can predict the cause and timing of cable failure based on the cable health stored in onboard memory 610 or 706. Furthermore, the processor may also be able to predict electrical changes that may occur during testing due to cable health. Finally, this data is stored and can be used for future product improvements and changes, improving input to simulators for new designs, and for use as a traceability record for responsibility / root cause analysis in the event of a failure.

[0046] Embodiments of the disclosed technology can operate on a specially programmed general-purpose computer, including specially created hardware, firmware, digital signal processors, or processors that operate according to programmed instructions. The terms “controller” or “processor” in this application mean microprocessors, microcomputers, ASICs, and dedicated hardware controllers, etc. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be implemented by one or more computers (including monitoring modules) or other devices, using computer-readable data such as program modules and computer-executable instructions. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which, when executed by a processor in a computer or other device, perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data formats. Computer-executable instructions may be stored on computer-readable storage media such as hard disks, optical disks, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, etc. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the functions of the program modules may be combined or distributed as needed in various embodiments. Furthermore, these functions can be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). One or more aspects of the disclosed technology can be more effectively implemented using specific data structures, such data structures are considered to be within the scope of computer-executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein.

[0047] The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried or stored in one or more computer-readable media that can be read and executed by one or more processors. Such instructions may be referred to as computer program products. The computer-readable media described herein means any medium accessible by a computing device. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media.

[0048] Computer storage media means any medium that can be used to store computer-readable information. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory and other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD (Digital Video Disc) and other optical disc storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage devices and other magnetic storage devices, and any other volatile or non-volatile removable or non-removable media implemented by any technology. Computer storage media exclude signals themselves and temporary forms of signal transmission.

[0049] A communication medium means any medium that can be used for the communication of computer-readable information. Examples of communication mediums, though not limited to them, include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, air, or any other medium suitable for the communication of electrical, optical, radio frequency (RF), infrared, sound, or other forms of signals. Examples

[0050] The following examples are provided that are useful for understanding the technology disclosed herein. These embodiments may include one or more of the examples described below, or any combination thereof.

[0051] Embodiment 1 is a cable configured to be repeatedly connected to a device, which deteriorates with each repeated connection, and comprises a condition indicator placed on the cable and configured to be updated with each successive connection of the cable to the device.

[0052] Embodiment 2 is the cable of Embodiment 1, further comprising a blocking mechanism configured to prevent the cable from being connected to the device when a status indicator exceeds a threshold.

[0053] Example 3 is a cable according to either Example 1 or 2, further comprising a connector having a conductor, wherein the state indicator has multiple layers of a composite material covering at least a portion of the conductor, each of the layers having different material properties, and the multiple layers wear down with each repeated connection of the cable.

[0054] Example 4 is a cable according to any of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the status indicator has a numerical indicator that is adjusted by pressing a pin when the cable is connected to the device.

[0055] Example 5 is a cable according to any of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising one or more sheathing layers, wherein the state indicator includes wrapping one of the one or more sheathing layers with a color-variable polymer.

[0056] Example 6 is a cable according to any of Examples 1 to 5, and the status indicator has memory.

[0057] Example 7 is the cable of Example 6, wherein the memory is configured to store at least one of the following: the number of power cycles of the cable, the result of a self-test, the number of hours in active use, the device identification information of the device, a unique identifier, the last operator, the batch identification number, or the manufacturing date.

[0058] Example 8 is a cable according to either Example 6 or 7, wherein the status indicator further includes a battery.

[0059] Example 9 is a cable according to either Example 6 or 7, wherein power is supplied to the memory when the cable is connected to the device.

[0060] Example 10 is a cable according to any of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the state indicator has a self-tester configured to output a known electrical pulse and measure the state of the cable.

[0061] Example 11 is a cable according to any of Examples 1 to 10, further comprising a tester configured to output a known electrical pulse and determine the state of the cable based on the cable's response to the known electrical pulse.

[0062] Example 12 is a test measurement system comprising a device, a cable detachably connected to the device, the cable degrading with each repeated connection to the device, and a state indicator configured to show the state of the cable.

[0063] Example 13 is the test measurement system of Example 12, further comprising a tester configured to output a known electrical pulse and to indicate the state of the cable on a state indicator based on the cable's response to the known electrical pulse.

[0064] Example 14 is a test measurement system according to either Example 12 or 13, wherein the state indicator includes a mechanical state indicator.

[0065] Example 15 is a test measurement system according to any of Examples 12 to 14, wherein the cable includes memory.

[0066] Example 16 is the test measurement system of Example 15, wherein the memory is configured to store at least one of the following: the number of power cycles of the cable, the result of a self-test, the number of hours in an active state, the device identification information of the device, a unique identifier, the last operator, the batch identification number, or the manufacturing date.

[0067] Example 17 is a test measurement system according to either Example 15 or 16, wherein the memory stores data related to the cable from the device.

[0068] Example 18 is a test measurement cable that is repeatedly connected to a device and deteriorates with each repeated connection, comprising a self-tester that outputs a known electrical pulse and measures the response based on the known electrical pulse, and a state indicator configured to output a state based on the measured response, at least in part.

[0069] Example 19 is a test measurement cable of Example 18, further comprising a battery.

[0070] Example 20 is a test measurement cable of Example 19, wherein the status indicator includes a display or a color-variable material.

[0071] Example 21 is a method for indicating cable wear, comprising the process of detachably connecting a cable that deteriorates with each repeated connection to the device to the device, and the process of indicating the condition of the cable based on each of the repeated connections of the cable.

[0072] Example 22 is the method of Example 21, further comprising a process to prevent the cable from being connected to the device when the state indicator is greater than a threshold.

[0073] Example 23 is a method of either Example 21 or 22, further comprising the process of storing in memory at least one of the following: the number of power cycles of the cable, the result of a self-test, the number of hours in active use, the device identification information of the device, a unique identifier, the last operator, the batch identification number, or the manufacturing date.

[0074] Example 24 is a method of any of Examples 21 to 23, further comprising the steps of testing the cable by outputting a known electrical pulse and measuring the state of the cable based on the known electrical pulse.

[0075] The above-mentioned versions of the disclosed subject matter have many effects that have been described or would be obvious to those skilled in the art. Nevertheless, not all of these effects or features are required in all versions of the disclosed apparatus, system, or method.

[0076] In addition, the description of this application refers to specific features. All features disclosed herein, including the claims, abstract and drawings, and all steps in all disclosed methods or processes, may be combined in any way, provided that at least a portion of them are not mutually exclusive. Each of the features disclosed herein, including the claims, abstract and drawings, may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless otherwise specified.

[0077] Furthermore, when this application refers to a method having two or more defined steps or processes, these defined steps or processes may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as the circumstances do not rule out such possibilities.

[0078] For the sake of explanation, specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but it should be understood that various modifications are possible without deviating from the gist and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to anything other than the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 100 Test and Measurement Systems 102 Test and measurement device 104 Device under test (DUT) 106 Cable 108 input ports 110 Status Indicator 112 displays 200 Cables 202 Status Indicator 204 pins 206 Cable Interfaces 208 Block mechanism 210 connector 400 Cable conductors 402 Wear Bar 600 Cable 602 Connector (Cable Assembly) 604 Cable Interface 606 Interface of the test and measurement device 608 Test and Measurement Equipment 610 memory 612 batteries 614 Controller 616 displays 618 memory 620 Optional Tester 700 connectors 704 Tester 706 memory 708 Battery 710 Status Indicator

Claims

1. A cable configured to be repeatedly connected to a device, which deteriorates with each repeated connection, A status indicator is placed on the cable and configured to be updated each time the cable is connected to the device, It comprises a connector having a conductor, The above-mentioned condition indicator has multiple layers of composite material covering at least a portion of the conductor, each of the layers having different material properties, and the multiple layers wear down with each repeated connection of the cable.

2. The device and A cable having a connector that can be detachably connected to the above device, wherein the cable deteriorates with each repeated connection to the above device, A status indicator configured to show the status of the cable and Equipped with, The condition indicator is a test measurement system having multiple layers of composite material covering at least a portion of the conductor of the connector, each of which has different material properties, and the multiple layers wear down with each repeated connection of the cable.

3. A process of detachably connecting a cable, which deteriorates with each repeated connection to the device, to the device using a connector for the cable, The process of indicating the state of the above cable based on each of the repeated connections of the above cable, using a state indicator, and Equipped with, The above-mentioned condition indicator has multiple layers of composite material covering at least a portion of the conductor of the connector, each of the layers having different material properties, and the multiple layers indicate wear of the cable with each repeated connection of the cable.

Images