Diagnostic tool for traffic capture with known signature database

An apparatus for identifying error patterns during automated device testing, the apparatus comprising:

• a programmable logic device communicatively coupled to a device under test (DUT) operable to generate commands and data for executing a test on the DUT, wherein the programmable logic device comprises a plurality of programmable capture modules programmed on the programmable logic device, wherein the plurality of programmable capture modules are operable to monitor data traffic between the DUT and the programmable logic device, and wherein the plurality of programmable capture modules are operable to selectively capture data traffic to be monitored;
• and
• a monitoring application controlled by a system controller operable to receive the data traffic captured by the plurality of programmable capture modules and configured to:
• based on user input, program the plurality of programmable capture modules;
• retrieve results associated with monitoring the data traffic from respective memories associated with each of the plurality of programmable capture modules;
• identify a data pattern from the retrieved results;
• compare the data pattern with known signatures in a database, wherein the database further includes metadata that associates an error signature of each error with a type of capture module, a method of identification, a cause of error and a suggested action to take in response to the error;
• and
• correlate the data pattern with one or more matching known signatures in the database.

A tester comprising:

• a system controller for controlling a test program for testing a plurality of devices under test (DUTs);
• a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) operable to interface with and test the plurality of DUTs, the FPGA coupled to the system controller, wherein each FPGA comprises a plurality of capture modules, wherein the plurality of capture modules each include acquisition logic and capture memory, wherein the FPGA includes a transfer interface coupled to the plurality of capture modules, wherein the plurality of capture modules comprise different types and are programmed on the FPGA and operable to monitor data traffic between the plurality of DUTs and the FPGA, and wherein the plurality of capture modules are operable to selectively capture and analyze data traffic to be monitored, wherein the data traffic comprises a flow of traffic between the plurality of DUTs and the FPGA;
• and
• a monitoring application controlled by the system controller operable to implement a graphical user interface and configured to:
• based on user input, program the plurality of capture modules;
• retrieve results associated with monitoring the data traffic from respective capture memories associated with each of the plurality of capture modules;
• identify a data pattern from the retrieved results;
• compare the data pattern with known signatures in a database, wherein the database further includes metadata that associates an error signature of each error with a type of capture module, a method of identification, a cause of error and a suggested action to take in response to the error;
• and
• correlate the data pattern with one or more matching known signatures in the database.