An amplifier module

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amplifier module (1) which is used in SLSC systems and is connected to test equipment and products being tested in electronic hardware testing, particularly in HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) testing, and which is used in the SLSC chassis housing.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AN AMPLIFIER MODULE

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to an amplifier module which is used in SLSC systems and is connected to test equipment and products being tested in electronic hardware testing, particularly in HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) testing, and which is used in the SLSC chassis housing.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Today, advanced integrated circuit technologies allow many different technical features to be combined into a single product and therefore lead to complex and compact product designs. The performance test infrastructures of advanced, complex and compact products also change according to the emerging needs. The ability to perform multi-port measurements simultaneously while maintaining the expected performance level of the device, shortening test times, renewable / modular test systems and cost-effective solutions have created needed requirements in the test and measurement market and created a competitive environment in the test and measurement field. Embedded software testing has become one of the most important fields, especially since embedded software is critical in terms of security in various fields with complex structures, mainly in the automotive, aircraft and defense industries. Performing hardware-in-the-loop tests (HIL Test System) on the hardware is encountered as one of the most widely adopted methods in the industrial field in testing embedded software, which is critical for safety due to its ability to simulate the inputs of the system to be tested. HIL test systems enable tests to be performed as often as desired, saving time without the risk of damaging high-cost hardware and without carrying the security risks of the untested product. At this point, SLSC Modules have taken its place in the worldwide market as a product that has emerged as an attachment to the measurement and control platform of HIL test systems for more practical and more efficient operation.

[0007] The SLSC Module system consists of four main components as chassis, modules, Rear Transition Interface (RTI) and cabling. The chassis, in addition to being a unit designed to be used in combination with the PXI (PCI Extensions for Instrumentation), offers more power and board space which is ideal for high power loads, switching and signal conditioning. The chassis enables the communication between the modules and performs the cooling function of the system. On the other hand, SLSC Modules provide switching, load simulation or signal conditioning for signal paths. SLSC Modules can communicate and be fed through the chassis, or they can communicate through auxiliary lines on the modules themselves. On the other hand, the rear transition interface RTI provides a standard connection for bringing signals back to the cable options of the SLSC modules and to the data acquisition modules (DAQ). The cabling of the SLSC module system allows signals to be transmitted within standard available cables and simplifies overall system integration by reducing the need for cabling.

[0008] The SLSC Module system, which can be defined as a companion platform in addition to HIL systems, contains front-end modules that can be used in PXI or CompactRIO (cRIO) extensions and specific to the system to be tested. The SLSC Module, in addition to comprising a rear transition interface that provides a standardized connection between itself and the PXI or cRIO, has a standard cable function diagram. Therefore, it enables the function to be fulfilled while using standard cables, without the need for a detailed point-to-point cable connection. The SLSC module system, which can eliminate the vulnerability to error resulting from the lack of the need for point-to-point cable connection, facilitates the test and measurement process due to its standardized connections. SLSC Modules can operate in stand-alone, pass through, or cascaded / sequential mode within the chassis. The cascade mode allows the signal path to pass through more than one SLSC module. Each SLSC chassis also comprises an SLSC digital data bus that allows users to explore, configure and set parameters on individual modules. Signals can pass through SLSC modules through both the front connection point and through the rear transition interface (RTI) connection.

[0009] Points such as renewable test systems, repeated uses, finding cost-effective solutions aim to solve the needs created by today's technology in the easiest and most reliable way. In this context, it has become a need to produce signal conditioning and switching systems that can provide the most effective results for the increasing need for test systems and solutions. SLSC Module Systems, while being the product that emerged as a result of these needs, has been a product that saves time and cost by eliminating the difficulty and inefficiency of detailed point- to-point cable connection that HIL systems encounter. In addition, the SLSC Module system provides advantages in real-time and simulation-oriented test and measurement systems in terms of preventing damage to the systems to be tested and performing the tests repeatedly. It has a structure that can be adapted to technological developments since it is a system that not only allows the creation of configurations formed by different modules specific to the system to be tested, but also allows the modules to be developed on their own. In particular, expanding the test intervals of the feature of the system to be tested is stated as a need to be met for products with the latest technological design by product development companies. For this reason, today there is a need for a 24-channel amplifier module which is used in the SLSC chassis cases; acts as a signal amplifier by connecting to the test devices and the systems to be tested; connects to the test equipment and the products being tested in the testing of electronic hardware, especially in HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) tests; and is used in the SLSC chassis housing.

[0010] The Turkish patent document no. TR2019 / 04931, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) and IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) driver configuration. The said invention relates to a MOSFET and IGBT driver which have a display that meets the requirements of future technologies such as ultrasonic technique, plasma technique, corona technique, laser technique, etc., where high frequency and higher power consumption are required, as well as applications such as high-voltage transformers, electric motors, DC-DC / DC-AC energy converters, etc., which are frequently used in today's technology, and enables specific characteristics of the control signal such as amplitude, frequency, phase, duty time, offset, etc. to be controlled by displaying them and that forms the visual output between the user and the invention and enables specific characteristics of the control signal such as amplitude, frequency, phase, duty time, offset, etc. to be controlled by displaying them; an angular reader that enables specific characteristics of the control signal such as amplitude, frequency, phase, duty time, offset, etc. to be controlled by the user and converts its position into 15 electrical signals with its rotational movement; four terminals; a switch that prevents the power of circuits containing microcontrollers and sensitive integrations therein from being disconnected during connection; 2ndlevel amplifier integrals that increase the instantaneous current level of the signal from 1.5 amperes to 6 amperes; a schottky diode; a microcontroller that interprets the inputs of all the controls and routines performed on the invention and generates outputs; an LED 1 that is energized every half a second if there is no problem in the functioning of the invention, and in case of a problem, remains energized continuously and is controlled by the microcontroller; an aluminium capacitor that provides the missing energy to itself in case of failure to obtain sufficient energy from the power supply of the 2ndlevel amplifier integrals; a resistance of 1 / 2 W 25 lOohm; 1stlevel amplifier integral that enables the instantaneous current level of the generated signal to be increased; a port multiplexer that generates characters on the screen that the user can understand and interpret, according to the data provided by the microcontroller; an LED 2 that indicates that the main circuit is energized, a regulator that protects the invention, a potentiometer that adjusts the display brightness.

[0011] The Turkish patent document no. TR2018 / 02590, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a method for operating a voltage step-up converter. In the invention a method for operating a voltage step-up converter, a voltage step-up converter and a switching controller for a voltage step-up converter is disclosed. In the invention, a method for controlling a voltage step-up converter which comprises a switch, controllable to open and to close at a selected switching frequency, an inductor, and a capacitor linked to the inductor via a diode and connected in parallel with an output of the converter is provided. The said method comprises detecting a voltage across the said inductor and adjusting the switching frequency of the switch according to the detected voltage. In this way, the operating mode of the said converter may be controlled, in particular to guarantee that the converter operates in a discontinuous current mode. There is also provided a voltage step-up converter having a switching controller configured to implement the said method, and a switching controller configured to implement the method.

[0012] The Turkish patent document no. TR2023 / 002677, an application included in the state of the art, discloses multi-channel audio amplifiers with enhanced class-ab technology. The said invention relates to a sound device which can be used in all areas such as cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, places of worship, hotels and the like, where more than one area needs to be provided with sound, as well as in small- scale environments such as homes, without disturbing the naturalness of the sound especially due to the Class-AB technology and by eliminating the bottom noise with the used grounding technique. The invention is characterized by input, output and control unit boards, power amplifier board, a supply board carrying a chassis board thereon, fans for cooling these boards and by creating an amplifier that is in 16- channel Class-AB standard with a transformer and will occupy less space by being produced in 2U rack cabinet dimensions, is easy to use, has energy efficiency compared to its class due to its input signal detection feature, provides ease of assembly due to its grouping feature, can be easily integrated into home theatre systems and can be easily controlled from automation systems.

[0013] The Chinese patent document no. CN207689589, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a full electronic interlocking hardware intelligent test system. The said invention relates to a full electronic interlocking hardware intelligent testing system, which comprises a tested cage, a program-controlled power supply, a load power supply, an ECID load box, an industrial computer, a switch, a signal conditioning box and an input module, wherein the load power supply is connected to the tested cage through the ECID load box, the input module, the industrial computer, the program-controlled power supply, the signal conditioning box and the tested cage are connected in sequence, the industrial computer is connected to the tested cage through the signal conditioning box, and the industrial computer is connected to the tested cage through the switch. Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages of reducing verification and testing costs, more accurate and reliable measurement, and shortening product launch time.

[0014] The Chinese patent document no. CN214409197, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a board level automatic test system. The said invention describes a board level automatic test system. The system comprises a signal processing module and a hardware platform, the signal processing module comprises a signal switching module, a signal distribution module and a signal conditioning module, the hardware platform comprises a common test signal interface, a channel expansion combination, an instrument combination, an electric control combination, a power supply combination, an LAN router, a gateway, a main control computer, display control equipment and a PXI bus instrument, the input end of the signal processing module is connected with tested electronic equipment, and the output end of the signal processing module is connected with the common test signal interface. According to the invention, the board-level product automatic test system with strong versatility and the application thereof in avionics equipment are researched, a video signal processing board with high fault is selected as a sample, a board-level fault diagnosis design scheme is determined by using examples, a test development process is designed, and the test efficiency is improved. The completeness and diversity of the maintenance industry on the board-level fault diagnosis technology are enhanced. The Chinese patent document no. CN109656237, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a hardware-in-loop test method of vehicle-mounted control equipment. The said invention describes a hardware-in-loop test method of vehiclemounted control equipment. The method comprises the steps of information detection: after an analogue signal input or output board card is installed, programming different types of signals by utilizing a waveform generator, wherein the analogue signals comprise a vehicle speed signal, a reversing signal, a steering wheel signal, an air conditioning signal, a bus signal and the like; and signal transmission: connecting a controller to be tested through an I / O interface, and transmitting signals to a sensor through a signal conditioning unit, wherein an internal circuit of the signal conditioning unit comprises a filter, a converter, an amplifier and the like. The invention discloses the hardware-in-loop test method of the vehicle-mounted control equipment. The method is simple to operate and convenient to use and has high practical value, running of a dynamic three- dimensional driving automobile on a real road section is simulated, and is compared with sectional dynamic figures of internal control elements for reference, the authenticity of the test is improved, and the conditions of the real road section can embody the running condition of the real vehicle, therefore, the real vehicle experiment is reduced, and the cost is also reduced.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to realize an amplifier module which is used in SLSC systems and is connected to the test equipment and the products being tested in electronic hardware testing, particularly in HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) testing, and which is used in the SLSC chassis housing.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to realize an amplifier module which is used in SLSC cases; acts as a signal amplifier by connecting to test devices and systems to be tested; has 24 amplifier blocks with a gain of 4.92 thereon; and whose signal outputs are relay controlled and wherein the relays are controlled by the controller block.

[0018] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] “An Amplifier Module” realized to fulfd the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a view of an inventive amplifier module.

[0021] The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0022] 1. Amplifier module

[0023] 2. Module carrier board

[0024] 3. CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) module

[0025] 4. Power module

[0026] 5. Relay output

[0027] 6. Front panel

[0028] 7. Front panel fixer

[0029] 8. Mounting mechanism

[0030] 9. Amplifier module fin

[0031] 10. Connection element

[0032] An inventive amplifier module (1) which is used in SLSC systems, in the testing of electronic equipment, particularly in HIL tests, and which acts as a signal amplifier by connecting to test devices and systems to be tested mainly comprises at least one SLSC module carrier board (2); at least one CPLD module (3) which is located on the module carrier board (2) and converts the received 24V voltage into two different voltage levels as +50V and -50V in the power block after receiving it, uses the converted voltages as the supply voltage of the amplifier circuit and enables output switching with the control block thereof; at least one power module (4).

[0033] An inventive amplifier module (1) further comprises at least one relay output (5); at least one front panel (6); at least one front panel fixer (7) which is used for fixing the front panel (6); at least one mounting mechanism (8); at least one amplifier module fin (9); and a plurality of connection elements (10) which are used for fixing the system elements to the module carrier board (2).

[0034] The CPLD module (3) included in an inventive amplifier module (1) receives its power from 24V provided from the SLSC case and converts the 24V input voltage into two different voltage levels as +50V and -50V with the help of the power block. The CPLD module (3) uses the converted voltage as the supply voltage of the amplifier circuit in the amplifier block. The CPLD module (3) performs output switching control through the controller block. (Diagram 1)

[0035] Diagram 1. Circuit diagram of the amplifier module

[0036] The amplifier block located in the CPLD module (3) consists of two parts as signal amplification and filtering. The U2 integration provides signal amplification at a gain varying according to the R1 and R3 ratios.

[0037] C3 and C6 are used with the aim of protecting the U2 integration from fluctuations in the supply voltage.

[0038] A second order active low pass filter circuit is used as the filter block (Ul). This circuit also acts as a buffer. The cutoff frequency of the filter can be set as follows.

[0039] Similarly, C2 and C5 are intended to protect the U 1 integration from fluctuations in the supply voltage. (Diagram 2)

[0040] Diagram 2. Circuit diagram of the amplifier block

[0041] There are 24 amplifier blocks with a gain of 4.92 on the inventive amplifier module (1). The signal outputs of the amplifier module (1) are relay controlled, and the relays are controlled by the controller block. In addition, the amplifier module (1) has high slew rate, low signal noise, wide bandwidth, wide operational voltage, delay controlled output and is in an SLSC chassis compatible structure.

[0042] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “An Amplifier Module (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An amplifier module (1) which is used in SLSC systems, in the testing of electronic equipment, particularly in HIL tests, and which acts as a signal amplifier by connecting to test devices and systems to be tested characterized by at least one SLSC module carrier board (2); at least one CPLD module (3) which is located on the module carrier board (2) and converts the received 24V voltage into two different voltage levels as +50V and -50V in the power block after receiving it, uses the converted voltages as the supply voltage of the amplifier circuit and enables output switching with the control block thereof; at least one power module (4).

2. An amplifier module (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by at least one relay output (5); at least one front panel (6); at least one front panel fixer (7) which is used for fixing the front panel (6); at least one mounting mechanism (8); at least one amplifier module fin (9); and a plurality of connection elements (10) which are used for fixing the system elements to the module carrier board (2).

3. An amplifier module (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the CPLD module (3) which receives its power from 24V provided from the SLSC case and converts the 24V input voltage into two different voltage levels as +50V and - 50V with the help of the power block.

4. An amplifier module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the CPLD module (3) which uses the converted voltage as the supply voltage of the amplifier circuit in the amplifier block.

5. An amplifier module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the CPLD module (3) which performs output switching control through the controller block.

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