Bus Interface System Protocol Conversion for UUT Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct connections between test computers and units under test (UUTs) pose functional and logistical challenges, including vulnerability to UUT malfunctions, compatibility issues due to differing lifespans and bus protocol changes, and proximity problems, which constrain the selection and usage of test computers.
Innovation Solution
A bus interface system with test instruments that connect to a computer system's bus, featuring ports for UUT connection, conversion circuits for protocol conversion, and a switch to direct communications, making the system hardware-compatible with the computer system and allowing support for various peripheral buses, including Ethernet, USB, and others, even if the operating system does not natively support them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct connection between test computer and UUT is made, then communication simplicity is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to UUT malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a peripheral bus interface device as an intermediary component between the test computer and the UUT. This interface device includes a bus interface card installed in the test computer and a corresponding interface on the UUT side, creating an indirect connection path. The intermediary isolates the test computer from direct exposure to UUT malfunctions while maintaining communication capability, thus resolving the contradiction between communication simplicity and system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If test computer directly connects to UUT, then connection proximity is improved, but compatibility deteriorates due to different lifespans and bus protocol changes
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral bus interface device is designed with universal compatibility across different bus protocols and computer systems. The interface card can support multiple peripheral bus types (USB, Ethernet, serial ports, etc.) and can be installed in various computer systems regardless of their age or specific bus implementations. This multi-functionality allows the interface to adapt to different UUTs with varying lifespans and protocol requirements, resolving the compatibility issue while maintaining direct connection proximity.
3Reliability
If test computer is located away from UUT interface, then system safety is improved, but connection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three distinct components: the test computer, the peripheral bus interface device, and the UUT. The interface device can be physically separated from the test computer and positioned closer to the UUT, allowing the test computer to remain at a safe distance while the interface component establishes the physical connection. This segmentation enables the test computer to maintain system safety while the interface device handles the connection task, reducing connection difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
An example test system includes a bus interface to connect to a bus of a computer system; and test instruments to perform one or more test operations on a UUT, where the test instruments connect to the bus interface to enable communication between the computer system and the test instruments via the bus interface. At least one test instrument includes: ports to which the UUT is connectable, with each of the ports interfacing to a corresponding peripheral bus supported by the at least one test instrument; circuits to connect the bus interface to the peripheral buses, with each circuit being configured to convert between a bus interface protocol run on the bus interface and a peripheral bus protocol run on a peripheral bus; and a switch to identify a target circuit of the circuits, with the switch to direct communications between the computer system and the target circuit.