Multifunctional distributed analysis tool and method for using same

A method of maintaining a complex electrical or electronic system, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing portable integrated test tool comprising at least two virtual test instruments adapted for setup and control, each of said at least two virtual test instruments being adapted to selectively measure a signal associated with said complex system, said integrated test tool being disposed externally thereto, each of said at least two virtual test instruments providing an output signal representative of said measured signal;
• a processor operatively connected to said at least two virtual test instruments and being configured to select and control said at least two virtual test instruments;
• means for storing data operatively connected to said processor and having stored therein at least one control program associated with said at least two virtual test instruments, and data representative of said output signal;
• and a human interface operatively connected to said processor, said human interface including at least a display wherein said at least two virtual test instruments, said processor, said means for storing and said human interface being disposed within a portable single housing;
• (b) using said integrated test tool to measure a signal at least one predetermined test point associated with said complex system to create a measured value representative thereof;
• (c) comparing said measured value to at least one of the group:
• a known good, previously-measured value associated with said at least one test point stored in said integrated test tool, and a previously determined value stored in said integrated test tool;
• and
• (d) analyzing a result of said comparing step (c) to determine a condition of said complex system.

A method for maintenance of a complex electronic system using an integrated test tool having a single portable housing with at least two virtual test instruments, a processor and a display integrated in said housing, the method comprising the steps of:

• measuring a signal at a selected test point in the system under test disposed externally thereto using at least one virtual test instrument of the at least two virtual test instruments, the at least one virtual test instrument is assigned to the test;
• providing a measured value representative of said respective measured signal by said at least one virtual test instrument to create a measured value;
• comparing said measured value to at least one of the group:
• a known good, previously-measured value associated with said selected test point stored in said integrated test tool, and a previously determined value stored in said integrated test tool, wherein said comparing step comprises the step of comparing said measured value to at least two known good, previously-measured values associated with said test point, said at least two known good, previously-measured values being stored in said tool;
• analyzing a result of the said comparing step to determine a condition of said system, wherein said analyzing step comprises the step of computing at least one of:
• a standard deviation and an historical mean of said at least two known good, previously-measured values;
• storing said measured value in the tool to provide a previously measured value associated with said test point.