Remote Electronic Device Testing via Network Packet Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing electronic devices, such as self-testing and In-Circuit Emulators (ICE), are limited in scalability and effectiveness, particularly when devices need to be tested at customer sites where specific usage patterns cause issues that cannot be replicated at the manufacturer, and are often too expensive or impractical to implement.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remote testing of electronic devices via a network connection, where the device under test has packet processing logic to detect and process test packets, generate test signals, and return results, allowing for remote monitoring and control through a network interface, including authentication and forwarding of test packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If In-Circuit-Emulator (ICE) is used to test electronic device, then testing capability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the ICE functionality by implementing a test controller that communicates with the electronic device through existing network interfaces. This software-based approach replicates the testing capabilities of hardware ICE without requiring expensive dedicated testing equipment, thereby reducing costs while maintaining testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based ICE system with a software-based test controller that operates over network protocols. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connection hardware and replaces it with software communication layers, significantly reducing the cost of testing infrastructure while preserving the essential testing functions.
2Reliability
If In-Circuit-Emulator (ICE) is used to test electronic device, then testing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a test controller that can operate with multiple different electronic devices through standardized network interfaces and protocols. This universal approach allows a single test controller to perform testing across various device types without requiring device-specific hardware adapters, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing capability.
3Measurement precision
If electronic device is shipped to manufacturer for testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the electronic device to perform self-testing through the integrated test controller that communicates via network interfaces. The device can autonomously execute test sequences, collect performance data, and report results without requiring physical transport to the manufacturer, thereby eliminating shipping time delays while maintaining testing accuracy through automated self-diagnostic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements testing capabilities directly within the electronic device before it is deployed to the customer site. By incorporating the test controller and testing logic into the device itself, the system enables preliminary and ongoing testing to be performed in-situ, eliminating the need for later shipping back to the manufacturer for diagnostic purposes.
4Ease of operation
If self-testing is performed by electronic device, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the test controller continuously monitors device performance through network communications and compares actual behavior against expected parameters. This feedback loop enables the system to detect subtle anomalies that simple self-testing might miss, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the ease of operation through automated monitoring and reporting.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device having logic that allows testing the device via a network interface is disclosed herein. The electronic device comprises the following. The electronic device has testing logic that receives test input signals and generate a test output signal. The electronic device has a network interface that is operable to receive network packets. The electronic device has packet processing logic communicatively coupled to the network interface that is able to determine whether a packet received in the network interface is a packet for testing the apparatus. The packet processing logic extracts test information from packets received on the network interface that are determined to be test packets, and generates the test input signals for the testing logic from the extracted test information. The packet processing logic incorporate test results into network packets based on the test output signal from the testing logic.