Hardware Traffic Capture Modules for ATE Root Cause Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems only report pass/fail results and lack the capability to identify root causes of device failure during qualification testing, requiring labor-intensive manual analysis by engineers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hardware-based traffic capture modules and logic modules within programmable logic devices to monitor and analyze data traffic between the tester and Device Under Test (DUT), providing real-time diagnostic information and precursor alerts for potential failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional ATE systems only report pass/fail results, then the system complexity is low, but the diagnostic capability and ability to identify root causes of device failure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments diagnostic functionality into separate capture modules (traffic capture module, logic analyzer module, protocol analyzer module) that can be selectively activated. Each module handles specific aspects of diagnostic data collection, allowing the system to maintain low complexity when diagnostic features are not needed while providing comprehensive diagnostic capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The ATE system is designed with multi-functional capture modules that can perform multiple diagnostic tasks. The traffic capture module can capture various types of data traffic (test commands, device responses, error logs), and the protocol analyzer can handle multiple communication protocols, making the system universally applicable to different testing scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Productivity
If manual analysis of data logs is performed by engineers, then no additional hardware complexity is introduced, but the productivity and scalability of the testing process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capture modules perform preliminary actions by automatically collecting, filtering, and organizing diagnostic data during the testing process. Data is captured and pre-processed in structured formats with timestamps and metadata, preparing it for rapid analysis. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for engineers to manually search through unstructured logs, significantly improving productivity while the automated nature of the process ensures scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture modules act as intermediaries between the device under test and the analysis tools. They capture raw data traffic, convert it into structured diagnostic information, and present it in formats suitable for automated analysis. This intermediary layer enables automated interpretation of diagnostic information, improving productivity while maintaining manageable hardware complexity through standardized interfaces.
3Reliability
If hardware-based traffic capture modules are integrated within programmable logic devices, then the diagnostic capability and root cause identification improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple diagnostic functions (traffic capture, logic analysis, protocol analysis) into integrated capture modules that are incorporated within the programmable logic devices of the ATE system. This consolidation provides comprehensive diagnostic capability and accurate root cause identification while managing hardware complexity through unified module design rather than separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for diagnosing a root cause of failure using automated test equipment is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring data traffic associated with testing a device under test (DUT) in the automated test equipment using a plurality capture modules, wherein the plurality of capture modules are programmed onto a programmable logic device, wherein the programmable logic device is controlled by a system controller and is operable to generate commands and data to test the DUT, wherein the plurality of capture modules are operable to selectively capture the data traffic to be monitored, and wherein the data traffic monitored comprises a flow of traffic between the DUT and the system controller. The method further comprises saving results associated with the monitoring in respective memories associated with each of the plurality of capture modules. Further, the method comprises transmitting the results upon request to an application program executing on the system controller.