Enhanced characterization of electrical connection degradation
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsDavid K. McElfresh, Kenny C. Gross, Leoncio D. Lopez, Dan Vacar
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Abstract
One embodiment provides a system that analyzes an electrical connection in a computer system. During operation, the system monitors a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection and applies a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Next, the system assesses the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Finally, the system uses the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for analyzing an electrical connection in a computer system, comprising:
- monitoring a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection;
- applying a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- assessing the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- and
- using the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection.
A system for analyzing an electrical connection in a computer system, comprising:
- a time domain reflectometry (TDR) circuit configured to monitor a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection;
- and
- a sequential-analysis circuit configured to:
- apply a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- assess the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- and
- use the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection.
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for analyzing an electrical connection in a computer system, the method comprising:
- monitoring a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection;
- applying a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- assessing the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient;
- and
- using the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.