Method and apparatus for improved monitoring and detection of improper device operation
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorJames L. Tallman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for the improved monitoring and detection of improper device operation. Operation of a prototype device is first modeled. In particular, a set of test vectors is selected to provide a desired degree of testing of the prototype unit. The expected response of the prototype to the selected set of test vectors is determined through the use of analytical prediction means, and stored for subsequent comparison with the operation of the prototype unit. Thereafter, the selected set of test vectors are applied to the prototype unit, and the response thereto compared in real time with the expected responses. Improper operation of the prototype device is thereby identified, and associate information recorded for subsequent analysis.
Claims21
Apparatus for monitoring the operation of a device to detect improper operation thereof in response to the application of a series of test monitoring the operation of a device to detect improper operation thereof in response to the application of a series of test vectors applied thereto, said device generating information signals and operation signals in response to each applied test vector, said apparatus comprising:
- predicting means for predicting correct operation of the device by generating expected information and operation signals in response to the application of the series of test vectors applied thereto;
- comparing means responsive to the operation of the device and to said predicting means for comparing the operation signals of the device with the expected operation signals in response to the same test vector;
- detection means responsive to said comparing means for detecting improper operation of the device;
- and
- storage means coupled to said device and to said prediction means responsive to said detection means for storing information signals representative of the operation of the device and the expected operation signals for the same application of test vectors, said storage means includes:
- first storage means coupled to the device responsive to
- said detection means for storing information signals
- descriptive of the operation of the device subsequent to the detection of improper operation of the device in response
- to the corresponding operation and expected operation
- signals;
- and,
- second storage means coupled to the predicting means
- responsive to said detection means for storing expected information signals descriptive of the predicted correct
- operation of the device subsequent to the detection of
- improper operation of the device in response to the
- corresponding operation and expected operation signals.
A method for monitoring the operation of a device to detect the improper operation thereof in response to the application of a series of test vectors applied thereto, said device generating information signals and operation signals in response to each applied test vector, said method comprising the steps of:
- predicting the correct operation of the device by generating expected information and operation signals in response to the application of each of the series of test vectors;
- repeatedly comparing the operation signals of the device with the expected operation signals to detect improper device operation in response to each of the test vectors;
- detecting improper device operation by detecting comparison errors;
- and
- repeatedly storing information signals representative of the operation of the device and expected information signals representative of the predicted correct operation of the device in response to the detection of improper device operation.
Apparatus for monitoring digital information produced by a digital device, to detect improper operation thereof, comprising:
- predicting means responsive to the digital device for producing digital expected information and operation signals representative of the digital information and operation signals expected to be produced by the digital device;
- comparing means responsive to digital information signals produced by the digital device and to the expected digital information signals produced by said predicting means for detecting a difference therebetween;
- detecting means responsive to said comparing means for producing a signal in response to the detection of a difference between the digital information signals produced by the digital device and the digital expected information signals produced by said predicting means;
- storage means responsive to the signal produced by said detecting means, coupled to the digital device and to the predicting means for storing digital operation signals of the digital device and for storing digital expected operation signals produced by said predicting means.
A method for testing the proper performance of a device, said method comprising the steps of:
- applying test criteria to a simulator of the device for producing expected information and operation signals therefrom;
- applying at least on of the test criteria applied to the simulator to the device to be tested for producing at least one set of information and operation signals therefrom;
- comparing the expected operation signals from the simulator with the operation signals from the device to the same test criteria to detect errors in the performance of the device;
- and
- repeatedly storing information signals of the device and the expected information signals from the simulator when an error is detected in the comparing step.
Apparatus for testing the proper performance of a device comprising:
- a simulator means for modeling the desired performance of the device;
- first means for applying test criteria to the simulator means for producing expected information and operation signals therefrom;
- second means for applying at least one of the test criteria applied to the simulation means to the device to be tested for producing at least one set of information and operation signals therefrom;
- third means for comparing the expected operation signals from the simulator means with the operation signals from the device to the same test criteria to detect errors in the performance of the device;
- and
- means for repeatedly storing information signals of the device and the expected information signals from the simulator means when when an error is detected by the third means.
Apparatus for monitoring the operation of a device to detect improper operation thereof in response to the application of a series of test vectors applied thereto, comprising:
- predicting means for predicting expected information and operation signals of the device in response to the application of the series of test vectors applied thereto;
- comparing means responsive to the operation signals of the device and to said expected operation signals of the predicting means for comparing the operation of the device with the predicted correct operation in response to the same test vector;
- detection means responsive to said comparing means for detecting improper operation of the device;
- and
- storage means coupled to said device and to said predicting means responsive to said detection means for storing information signals of the device and the expected information signals, said storage means includes:
- first storage means coupled to the device and responsive to said detection means for storing information signals of the device prior to the detection of improper operation of the device;
- and
- second storage means coupled to the predicting means and responsive to said detection means for storing expected information signals prior to the detection of improper operation of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.