Test Apparatus Resource Allocation via Functional Entity Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test apparatuses for user equipment devices face resource conflicts when selecting additional test cases, as the hardware and software resources are often insufficient due to prior assignments, leading to inefficiencies in performing concurrent test procedures.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface-based test apparatus that allows users to dynamically assign and reassign functional entities to test cases, enabling resource management through drag-and-drop functionality, automatic comparison of test capabilities, and notification of resource conflicts, facilitating concurrent testing without resource overcommitment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple test cases are assigned to run concurrently on a test apparatus, then the testing productivity increases, but resource conflicts occur when hardware and software resources are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting productivityVSAvoidresource availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary resource allocation by assigning functional entities to test cases before execution begins. The resource manager pre-configures the mapping between test cases and available resources, preventing resource conflicts during concurrent test execution by ensuring each test case has its designated resources reserved in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The test apparatus divides its resources into discrete functional entities that can be independently assigned to different test cases. This segmentation allows the resource manager to allocate specific functional entities to specific test cases, enabling multiple test cases to run concurrently without resource conflicts by ensuring each test case receives only the functional entities assigned to it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the test apparatus supports more test cases simultaneously, then the versatility of the testing system improves, but the device complexity increases due to resource management overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest case support capabilityVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resource manager serves multiple functions: it assigns functional entities to test cases, monitors resource availability, detects conflicts, and manages concurrent test execution. This multi-functional approach consolidates resource management tasks into a single component, allowing the system to support multiple test cases simultaneously without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The resource manager acts as an intermediary layer between the test case selection interface and the functional entities. It abstracts the complexity of resource management by providing a unified interface for test case assignment while handling the complex tasks of resource allocation, conflict detection, and coordination internally, thereby shielding users from the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If users can dynamically assign functional entities to test cases, then the ease of operation improves, but resource conflicts may occur without proper management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional entity assignmentVSAvoidresource conflict prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resource manager provides feedback to users about resource availability and potential conflicts when test cases are assigned. The system monitors the state of functional entities and communicates this information back through the user interface, allowing users to make informed decisions about test case assignments while preventing resource conflicts through real-time resource state tracking and conflict detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3407199B1Wideband radio communication test apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3407199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3407199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3407199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A test apparatus comprising functional entities, FEs, which are assigned to a selected test case, TC, of a test case pool, TCP, by shifting a test case item, TCI, representing the selected test case, TC, to functional block items, FBIs, representing functional entities, FEs.