Test Equipment Failure Identification for Refurbished Device Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refurbished computing devices may fail tests due to faulty test equipment, leading to false failures and unacceptable devices being marked as unusable, as issues with ports or cables used in the testing process can cause inconsistent or consistent failures.
Innovation Solution
A test system that monitors failure rates on a per-port or per-device basis, providing alerts when thresholds are exceeded, and allows operators to disable or continue using failing ports, with counters resetting after successful tests and generating reports for failure tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test equipment is used to test refurbished devices, then testing capability is provided, but false failures occur due to faulty test equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring test results and comparing them against expected outcomes. When deviations are detected (indicating potential test equipment failure), the system generates alerts and notifications to operators, enabling corrective action. This feedback loop transforms the passive testing process into an active monitoring system that can detect and respond to equipment degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing baseline performance metrics and failure thresholds before actual testing begins. Operators can configure alert thresholds and notification preferences in advance. The system proactively monitors for conditions that precede complete equipment failure, allowing preventive maintenance before false failures occur.
2Reliability
If monitoring of failure rates is implemented, then false failures are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into independent, modular components: a counter module that tracks failure rates, a comparison module that evaluates thresholds, and a notification module that alerts operators. Each component performs a single function and can be independently configured. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating discrete, manageable units rather than a monolithic monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service through automated failure rate tracking and threshold comparison. The counter automatically increments on failures and decrements on passes, eliminating manual tracking. The system self-monitors its own performance metrics and automatically generates alerts when thresholds are exceeded, reducing the operational burden on staff while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a device-under-test and a first computing device. A first of a plurality of communication ports of the first computing device is configured to be connected in electronic communication with the communication port of the first device-under-test. A processor of the first computing device is configured to monitor a status of a test performed on the first device-under-test. In response to a value of a counter associated with the first of the plurality of communication ports of the first computing device being greater than a threshold, the display device of the first computing device displays an indicator that a consecutive number of failures is greater than the threshold.


