Coverage Analysis Report for Directed Test Vector Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for diagnosing faults in deployed systems based on computer-designed models fail to utilize the information gathered during the design phase, leading to inefficient and costly maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of coverage analysis data from the design phase to select directed test vectors for identifying errors in deployed systems, leveraging the model coverage analysis report to determine which test vectors to use for targeted testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnosis methods using heuristics or user experience are used, then the system can operate with simple maintenance procedures, but the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to failure to utilize design phase information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting coverage analysis during the design phase to identify which test vectors exercise which components. This预先 analysis creates a mapping between test vectors and system components that is stored and later used to guide diagnostic testing, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy without requiring complex real-time analysis during maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a coverage analysis report that serves as a mediator between the design phase test vectors and the maintenance phase diagnostic process. This intermediary document bridges the gap between initial system design and subsequent maintenance operations, enabling efficient fault localization without direct complex interactions during maintenance
2Loss of information
If comprehensive testing with multiple test vectors is performed during design phase, then the coverage analysis becomes more detailed and useful for maintenance, but the initial design time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs comprehensive testing and coverage analysis during the design phase as a preliminary action. By systematically executing multiple test vectors and recording which components are exercised, the system creates a comprehensive coverage analysis report that prevents information loss during maintenance, even though it requires significant initial time investment that is amortized over the system's operational lifecycle
3Productivity
If directed testing using coverage analysis is implemented, then fault identification efficiency improves, but the complexity of test vector selection and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for maintenance from the comprehensive test vector set by analyzing coverage data. It identifies and isolates the specific test vectors that exercise the components most relevant to suspected faults, separating these useful test cases from the full test suite. This extraction process simplifies test vector management during maintenance while maintaining high fault identification efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the testing approach to the specific fault being investigated. Instead of executing the complete test suite, the system selects and executes only the test vectors that are most likely to reveal the specific component failure based on coverage analysis, thereby improving efficiency without requiring management of all test vectors
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for exploiting the data gathered about a system model during the system design phase to aid the identification of errors subsequently detected in a deployed system based on the system model is disclosed. The present invention utilizes the coverage analysis from the design phase that is originally created to determine whether the system model as designed meets the specified system requirements. Included in the coverage analysis report is the analysis of which sets of test vectors utilized in simulating the system model excited individual components and sections of the system model. The present invention uses the information associated with the test vectors to select appropriate test vectors to use to perform directed testing of the deployed system so as to confirm a suspected fault.