Coordinate-Mapped Probe Testing for Remote Circuit Board Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians are restricted from physically accessing lab equipment due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions and soldering dependency, preventing remote capture of hardware signal measurements on circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A hardware testing system that allows remote access and control of oscilloscopes and probe machines using a fixture with X-Y coordinates, enabling automated or machine learning-based alignment and measurement of circuit board test points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If technicians physically access lab equipment to capture hardware signal measurements, then measurement capability is maintained, but physical access restrictions (ESD precautions, soldering dependency) prevent remote operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a probe station, automated probe card, and coordinate mapping software that mediates between the remote user and the circuit board test points. This intermediary enables remote operation while maintaining measurement reliability through automated positioning and coordinate-based navigation to test points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical probing with an automated system that uses coordinate data to position probes automatically. The mechanical system of manual probe placement is substituted with an automated mechanism controlled by software, allowing remote operation while maintaining precision through coordinate-based positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual probing and soldering are performed on circuit boards, then hardware measurements can be captured, but ESD precautions and soldering dependency restrict technician access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mapping the circuit board test points to a coordinate system before remote testing begins. This preliminary coordinate mapping enables subsequent remote operations to proceed without complex real-time adjustments, reducing the perceived device complexity during actual remote testing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal coordinate-based interface that can work with different circuit boards and test configurations. The fixture system with standardized coordinate mapping serves multiple functions: positioning probes, identifying test points, and enabling remote control, thereby reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality.
3Extent of automation
If automated probe machines and oscilloscopes are used with coordinate mapping, then remote signal measurement is enabled, but alignment precision between fixture and probe machine must be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through verification steps where the alignment between the fixture coordinate system and the probe machine coordinate system is checked and adjusted. This feedback mechanism ensures that automated operations maintain the required precision by detecting and correcting any misalignment between the mapped coordinates and actual physical positions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for remote access hardware testing. A user can remotely control probes connected to an oscilloscope to collect signal measurements of test points on a circuit board. The user can control the probe point position on the circuit board using an application on a device to enter the test point locations. In some implementations, a user controls the probe machine using remote controls and a camera video feed to identify the test points on the circuit board and capture measurements. The hardware testing system can automate the measurement process with a script or by using machine learning to identify test points via a camera, controlling the probe machine, and capturing measurements of the test point.