Remote Test Box for Automatic DUT Crash Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote monitoring and testing systems for devices under test (DUT) require manual intervention to initiate trace routines when errors or crashes occur, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for network monitoring that includes a test unit connected to a DUT, which detects trigger conditions, sends notifications to a remote server, receives instructions to start trace routines, and uploads trace logs to the server, all automatically and without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual intervention is used to start trace routines, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and response time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect analysis speedVSAvoidsystem automation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The test unit automatically detects trigger conditions (errors or crashes) and initiates trace routines without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring the DUT, detecting anomalies, and starting diagnostic processes, thereby eliminating the need for human operators to manually trigger trace collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the test unit continuously monitors the DUT for error conditions, and upon detecting a trigger condition, automatically responds by initiating a trace routine. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic defect detection and analysis, significantly improving productivity while managing system complexity through structured automation protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automatic trace routine initiation is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automation system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a monitoring module that detects trigger conditions, a control module that decides when to initiate traces, and an execution module that runs the trace routines. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall testing efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test unit is pre-configured with trigger conditions and trace routines before deployment. When deployed, the system automatically compares real-time DUT behavior against pre-defined criteria and initiates appropriate trace routines without requiring on-the-fly decision-making or complex real-time analysis, thereby improving productivity while keeping the automation logic manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring is performed, then reliability of defect detection improves, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidtest unit power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the test unit periodically checks for trigger conditions at defined intervals or based on specific event triggers. This periodic monitoring approach maintains reliable defect detection capability by systematically sampling system state, while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring of all system parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors only critical parameters and trigger conditions relevant to defect detection, rather than continuously analyzing all system variables. This partial monitoring strategy maintains high reliability for detecting errors and crashes by focusing on key indicators, while reducing overall energy consumption by excluding unnecessary monitoring of non-critical system aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4550746A1Systems and methods for crash detection using a remote test box
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 THALES DIS AIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP4550746A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550746A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4550746A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Systems and methods for monitoring a network are provided which include: detecting, by a test unit, a trigger condition of a test profile associated with a device under test "DUT" connected to the network to be monitored, the DUT included in the test unit; sending, by the test unit, to a remote server, an indication that the trigger condition was detected; receiving, from the remote server, at the test unit, an instruction to start a trace; starting, by the test unit, a trace routine in response to the instruction to start the trace; sending, by the test unit, to the remote server, an indication that a trace log created by the trace routine is ready; receiving, from the remote server, at the test unit, an instruction to upload the trace log; and uploading, by the test unit, to the remote server, the trace log.