Test fixture and method for operating the same

Abstract

A test fixture includes a first connection port for coupling a charger, a plurality of second connection ports for coupling a plurality of loads, a plurality of switches, and a controller. The switches are respectively coupled to the first and second connection ports, and the controller is coupled to the first connection port and the switches. When the controller detects a change in the charger's output power through the first connection port, the controller shuts off at least one switch based on the change in output power, thereby reducing the number of loads coupled to the charger.

Claims

1. A test fixture for coupling a charger, the test fixture comprising: A first connection port is used to couple the charger; Multiple second connection ports are used to couple multiple loads; A plurality of switches, respectively coupled to the first connection port and the second connection ports, and the switches are controlled to be turned on or off to adjust the number of loads coupled to the charger; and a controller, coupled to the first connection port and the switches, and when the controller detects a change in the output power of the charger through the first connection port, the controller turns off at least one of the switches according to the change in output power to reduce the number of loads coupled to the charger.

2. The test fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the controller comprises: A communication pin is provided for coupling to a communication port of the charger via the first connection port; wherein the controller has a power delivery communication protocol, and when the controller receives a load reduction notification from the charger via the communication pin, the controller shuts off at least one of the switches according to the load reduction notification.

3. The test fixture as described in claim 1 further includes: A detection circuit is coupled to the controller and the first connection port and is used to detect an output current of the charger and provide a current signal; wherein the controller has a power delivery communication protocol and includes a communication pin coupled to a communication port of the charger through the first connection port; the controller has a handshake communication with the charger through the communication pin to notify the charger to provide an output voltage, and when the controller determines the output power change based on the current signal, the controller turns off at least one of the switches.

4. The test fixture as described in claim 1 further includes: A detection circuit is coupled to the controller and the first connection port and is used to detect an output current and an output voltage of the charger to provide a voltage signal and a current signal accordingly; wherein, when the controller determines the output power change based on the voltage signal and the current signal, the controller turns off at least one of the switches.

5. The test fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the controller controls the switches to be turned on so that the output power is a full power.

6. The test fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the loads are passive loads and the controller has no communication lines coupled to the loads.

7. The test fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the change in output power is negatively correlated with the temperature of the charger.

8. A method of operating a test fixture, the test fixture comprising a plurality of channels for coupling a plurality of loads corresponding to a charger, wherein the channels are controlled to be turned on or off to adjust the number of loads coupled to the charger, the method of operating the test fixture comprising the following steps: short-circuiting the channels according to an output power provided by the charger, so that the loads draw the output power from the charger; detecting the output power; and disconnecting at least one of the channels according to a change in the output power, so as to reduce the number of loads drawing the output power.

9. The method of operating the test fixture as claimed in claim 8, wherein the test fixture has a power delivery communication protocol, and the method of operating the test fixture further includes the following steps: performing a handshake communication with the charger; receiving a load reduction notification provided by the charger through the handshake communication; and disconnecting at least one of the channels according to the load reduction notification.

10. The method of operating the test fixture as claimed in claim 8, wherein the test fixture has a power delivery communication protocol, and the method of operating the test fixture further includes the following steps: performing a handshake communication with the charger; notifying the charger to provide an output voltage through the handshake communication; and detecting an output current of the charger; and, when determining a change in output power based on the output voltage and the output current, disconnecting at least one of the channels.

11. The method of operating the test fixture as described in claim 8 further includes the following steps: detecting an output current and an output voltage of the charger; and, when determining a change in output power based on the output current and the output voltage signals, disconnecting at least one of the channels.

12. The method of operating the test fixture as described in claim 8 further includes the following steps: when the charger provides the output power, short-circuiting the channels to make the output power a full power.

13. The method of operating the test fixture as described in claim 8 further includes the following steps: determining that the output power is abnormal; and disconnecting the channels.

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