Test Data Display Interface for Verbose Signal Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying test data from circuit devices like system-on-a-chip (SOC) devices often fail to effectively show non-standard or verbose data, such as vector, waveform, and schmoo data, which are crucial for understanding test results, as they are not displayed in a user-friendly format alongside concise alphanumeric data.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to select and display additional data related to specific test entries, including vector, statistical, and schmoo data, by providing user-selectable mechanisms like buttons or menus, enabling the display of pictorial or verbose data alongside standard test results, facilitating real-time and bulk data review.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If test data is displayed in simple alphanumeric format, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs for non-standard data types
Solution Approach 1:
The display system segments test data into different categories (alphanumeric data, pictorial data, verbose data) and applies appropriate display formats to each segment. Standard test results are displayed in simple alphanumeric format for ease of operation, while non-standard data types are displayed in their native formats (waveforms, histograms, schmoo plots) to preserve information integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional alphanumeric display to multi-dimensional display capabilities by incorporating graphical representations (waveforms, histograms, schmoo plots) that add visual dimensions to data presentation. This allows verbose and pictorial data to be displayed alongside standard test results without compromising ease of operation.
2Loss of information
If all types of test data are displayed together, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various data types (alphanumeric, pictorial, verbose) through a unified interface. The same display device can present standard test results in tabular format and non-standard data in graphical formats, eliminating the need for separate display systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that converts different data types into appropriate display formats. This mediator handles the complexity of managing multiple data types internally while presenting a simplified unified interface to the user, thus reducing perceived display complexity while maintaining information completeness.
3Loss of information
If verbose and pictorial data are displayed, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display system applies local quality by using simple alphanumeric format for standard test results that require quick interpretation, while applying verbose and pictorial formats only to specific data types where they provide additional value (waveforms for signal analysis, histograms for statistical data, schmoo plots for parameter relationships). This localized application of complexity maintains overall display simplicity while improving data comprehensibility where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a plurality of test data entries are successively displayed via a graphical user interface (GUI), with each of the test data entries including at least a test result identifier and a corresponding test result. For at least one of the test data entries, a user-selectable mechanism is provided via the GUI. When the user-selectable mechanism is selected, statistical data based on multiple executions of a test identified by a particular one of the test data entries is caused to be displayed via the GUI. Other embodiments are also disclosed.