Automated ESD Device Tester with RFID Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing electrostatic discharge (ESD) monitoring and protection devices are tedious and cumbersome, requiring manual resistance measurements for each device using a megohmmeter, which is inefficient when testing multiple devices in a facility.

Innovation Solution

A portable ESD device tester with a selector switch for multiple testing modes, integrated barcode reader or RFID tag reader, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and data processing capabilities to automate the testing process, allowing for unique device identification, configuration of test settings, and storage of measurement data for efficient and consistent testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual resistance measurements are taken for each ESD device using a megohmmeter, then functional testing is achieved, but the testing process becomes tedious and cumbersome when many devices must be tested

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtime for testing multiple devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ESD device is made to identify itself through an integrated identification circuit that automatically provides device information to the testing system, eliminating the need for manual device identification and configuration by the operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The testing system is designed to handle multiple types of ESD devices through a universal interface that can communicate with different device types via their identification circuits, allowing one system to test various devices without requiring separate manual procedures for each

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If automated testing with identification circuits is implemented, then testing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting throughputVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification circuit is merged with the existing ESD device structure, combining the identification functionality with the device's existing components rather than adding completely separate identification hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification circuit serves multiple functions including device identification, type classification, and configuration parameter storage, consolidating what could be separate functions into a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7667450B2Electrostatic discharge device testing system and method

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

There is disclosed an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device tester and a method of operating the tester. In an embodiment, the method comprises operating the tester by uniquely identifying an ESD device to be tested using identification means provided on the tester; taking at least one test measurement of the uniquely identified ESD device using testing means provided on the tester, the testing means being configurable in dependence upon data associated with the uniquely identified ESD device; and storing the at least one test measurement in a storage means provided in the tester. A running average of test measurements for the uniquely identified ESD device may be stored on the tester in order to compare a test measurement against the running average. A test is repeated if a test measurement falls outside of a predetermined range of the running average.