Interconnect Error Monitoring via Automated Stress Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the origin of presentation errors in video display environments is challenging due to potential interconnect malfunctions between media sources and display devices, making error analysis difficult without user input.
Innovation Solution
Implementing automated testing of interconnects through passive monitoring and active stress testing to detect and analyze data errors, generating error statistics, and alerting users when error rates exceed thresholds, allowing for troubleshooting or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated testing is implemented to detect interconnect errors, then measurement precision of error detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically generating test data, monitoring error rates, and identifying interconnect failures without requiring external testing equipment or manual intervention. The media source device itself serves as the testing apparatus, eliminating the need for additional complex external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Test data is introduced as an intermediary element to indirectly assess interconnect health. Rather than directly monitoring physical signals, the system uses intermediate test data packets to probe the interconnect and detect errors through error rate analysis.
2Ease of operation
If passive monitoring is used to detect interconnect errors during runtime, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of error detection worsens due to low error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its testing approach by switching between passive monitoring during normal operation and active stress testing when failures are suspected. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain operational convenience while improving detection reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary passive monitoring during normal runtime to establish baseline error rates before transitioning to active stress testing. This preliminary action prepares the system by gathering initial data and identifying anomalies that warrant more intensive testing.
3Reliability
If active stress testing is performed to improve error detection reliability, then reliability of error detection is improved, but productivity decreases due to system unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
Active stress testing is performed periodically rather than continuously, allowing the system to maintain normal media delivery between test cycles. This periodic approach ensures reliable error detection while minimizing disruption to productivity by limiting system unavailability to specific test intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary passive monitoring to identify anomalies before initiating active stress testing. This preliminary detection allows the system to target stress testing only when necessary, preventing unnecessary productivity loss while maintaining reliable error detection capability.
4Ease of operation
If manual user input is required for error analysis, then ease of operation worsens, but measurement precision of error origin determination improves
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines error origins by analyzing error data from passive monitoring and active testing, comparing error rates between test data and media data, and identifying interconnect failures without requiring manual user analysis. This self-service approach maintains both ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where error data from monitoring and testing is automatically analyzed, and results are used to determine error origins and trigger appropriate actions. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates manual input requirements while maintaining accurate error origin determination.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for automated detection and notification of interconnect errors or failure. An interconnect is tested via passive or active means. Error data associated with data transferred via the interconnect is measured and analyzed to generate error statistics. Error statistics are then used to determine an error rate of the interconnect and an alert is generated if the error rate exceeds a threshold. Alerts are displayed to users for troubleshooting and/or for indication that the interconnect should be replaced.