# US 12,000,887 B2 · Wireless electronic-control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,887 B2 - Document ID: US12000887B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/294,342 - Filed: 2019-11-20 - Published: 2022-01-13 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-21 - Assignees: Lam Research Corporation - Applicants: Lam Research Corporation - Inventors: Christopher-James Parker; Dirk Rudolph; Mark James Garfield Hnatiuk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000887B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/31713: {Input or output interfaces for test, e.g. test pins, buffers (for scan test G01R31/318572)} - G01R 31/01: Subjecting similar articles in turn to test, e.g. "go/no-go" tests in mass production; Testing objects at points as they pass through a testing station (testing of cables continuously passing the testing apparatus G01R31/59; testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage G01R31/12) - G01R 31/2806: {Apparatus therefor, e.g. test stations, drivers, analysers, conveyors (G01R31/2805, G01R31/281, G01R31/2818 take precedence)} - H04W 84/18: Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Various embodiments include methods and apparatuses to test production tools and related electrical components therefor including individual printed-circuit boards (PCBs). In one example, a test-plug hardware-platform includes at least one input/output (I/O) connector, and a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector and collect data through the I/O connector from at least one PCB under test. A wireless-mesh network within the test-plug hardware-platform can interface wirelessly with at least the PCB under test. The at least one PCB operating within a production tool or other piece of equipment. Other methods and systems are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to collect data through the I/O connector from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, the configurable control system being configured to test substantially simultaneously the functionality of all inputs and outputs of the at least one electrical component under test; and a wireless-mesh network configured within the test-plug hardware-platform to interface wirelessly with at least the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the configurable control system is configured to capture actual input and output signals to and from the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the configurable control system further comprises universal I/O circuitry to interface with the at least one I/O connector, one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs) to build reconfigurable digital circuits, one or more microcontroller units (MICUs) to direct data received from and sent to the at least one electrical component under test, and a radio source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the radio source is configured to operate under at least one communications standard. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 4, wherein the communications standard includes at least one standard protocol selected from IEEE 802.15.4, Zigbeee®, XBee®, and Bluetooth®. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the configurable control system is configured to test each connector on the at least one electrical component under test via software within the test-plug hardware-platform. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The test-plug hard-ware-platform of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical component under test is operating within a production tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the test-plug hardware-platform is configured to test multiple ones of the at least one electrical component under test within a production tool substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the test-plug hardware-platform is configured to test analog signals and digital signals substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 9, wherein at least one of the analog signals and digital signals include video signals. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the test-plug hardware-platform is configured to supply power to the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein the test-plug hardware-platform is configured to test low-level communication with the at least one electrical component under test connected to the actual hardware in which each of the at least one electrical component under test is located. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 1, wherein configuration of software within the configurable control system includes an existing signal list and an interlock table for a particular tool in which the at least one electrical component under test is located. ### Claim 14 A test-plug hardware-platform comprising: at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; and a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to capture actual input and output signals to and from at least one electrical component under test, the configurable control system being configured to test substantially simultaneously the functionality of all inputs and outputs of the at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, the at least one electrical component under test being operated within a production tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 14, further comprising a wireless electronic control system and a wireless-mesh network to interface wirelessly with the at least electrical component under test. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 14, wherein the test-plug hardware-platform further comprises power and ground connections to supply to the at least one electrical component under test, the power and ground connections being configurable as an output to the at least one I/O connector via software. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The test-plug hardware-platform of claim 14, further comprising a test computer, the test computer being configured to: run a number of simulated devices; and monitor actual I/O from the each of the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 18 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: a wireless electronic control system; and a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the wireless electronic control system, the configurable control system further to collect data through the wireless electronic control system from at least one electrical component under test, the configurable control system being configured to test substantially simultaneously the functionality of all inputs and outputs of the at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, the configurable control system further to capture actual input and output signals to and from the at least one electrical component under test with the at least one electrical component under test being operated within a production tool. ### Claim 19 A test-plug hardware-platform, wherein the wireless electronic control system is configured to provide communications between test-plug hardware-platform via wireless communications with the production tool. ### Claim 20 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to collect data through the I/O connector from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, the configurable control system being configured to test each connector on the at least one electrical component under test via software within the testplug hardware-platform; and a wireless-mesh network configured within the test-plug hardware-platform to interface wirelessly with at least the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 21 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to collect data through the I/O connector from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals; and a wireless-mesh network configured within the test-plug hardware-platform to interface wirelessly with at least the at least one electrical component under test, the test-plug hardware-platform being configured to test analog signals and digital signals substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 22 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: at least one combination input and output-(I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to collect data through the I/O connector from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals; and a wireless-mesh network configured within the test-plug hardware-platform to interface wirelessly with at least the at least one electrical component under test, the test-plug hardware-platform being configured to test low-level communication with the at least one electrical component test under test connected to the actual hardware in which each of the at least one electrical component under test is located. ### Claim 23 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to collect data through the I/O connector from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, configuration of software within the configurable control system including an existing signal list and an interlock table for a particular tool in which the at least one electrical component under test is located; and a wireless-mesh network configured within the test-plug hardware-platform to interface wirelessly with at least the at least one electrical component under test. ### Claim 24 A test-plug hardware-platform, comprising: at least one combination input and output (I/O) connector; a configurable control system to provide command and operational signals through the I/O connector, the configurable control system further to capture actual input and output signals to and from at least one electrical component under test, the at least one electrical component under test configured to generate and receive a plurality of signals selected from signals including digital signals and analog signals, the at least one electrical component under test being operated within a production tool; and a test computer configured to run a number of simulated devices and monitor actual I/O from each of the at least one electrical component under test.