Communication system, test apparatus, communication apparatus, communication method and test method

A test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising:

• a plurality of test modules that tests the device under test;
• a control apparatus that controls testing of the device under test by the plurality of test modules;
• and
• a relay apparatus that relays communication between the control apparatus and the plurality of test modules, wherein
• the control apparatus includes:
• a communicating section that communicates with the relay apparatus via a first data signal line;
• an alive signal receiving section that receives, via, a first alive signal line, an alive signal indicating whether the relay apparatus is in an alive state in which it is capable of communicating with the control apparatus;
• and
• a reset signal transmitting section that, when the relay apparatus is not in the alive state, transmits a reset signal to the relay apparatus,
• the relay apparatus includes:
• a communicating section that communicates with the control apparatus via the first data signal line;
• an alive signal transmitting section that transmits the alive signal via the first alive signal line;
• and
• a reset signal receiving section that, upon receiving a reset signal, resets the communicating section of the relay apparatus,
• the communicating section of the control apparatus transmits to the relay apparatus, via the first data signal line, a reset request that includes module identification information identifying which test modules are to be reset from among the plurality of test modules, and
• the communicating section of the relay apparatus resets the test modules corresponding to the module identification information included, in the reset request received via the first data signal line.

A communication method used by a communication system including a first communication apparatus, a second communication apparatus, and a plurality of third communication apparatuses that communicate with the second communication apparatus comprising:

• communicating between a communicating section of the first communication apparatus and a communicating section of the second communication apparatus via a first data signal line;
• transmitting by an alive signal transmitting section of the second communication apparatus via a first alive signal line, an alive signal indicating whether the second communication apparatus is in an alive state in which it is capable of communicating with the first communication apparatus;
• receiving by an alive signal receiving section of the first communication apparatus the alive signal via the first alive signal line;
• transmitting, by a reset signal transmitting section of the first communication apparatus, a reset signal to the second communication apparatus, when the second communication apparatus is not in the alive state;
• resetting, by a reset signal receiving section of the second communication apparatus, the communicating section of the second communication apparatus, when the reset signal is received;
• transmitting, by the communicating section of the first communication apparatus to the second communication apparatus via the first data signal line, a reset request that includes apparatus identification information identifying which third communication apparatuses are to be reset from among the plurality of third communication apparatuses;
• and
• resetting, by the communicating section of the second communication apparatus, the third communication apparatuses corresponding to the apparatus identification information included in the reset request received via the first data signal line.

A test method used by a test apparatus to test a device under test comprising:

• testing, by the plurality of test modules, the device under test;
• controlling testing, by a control apparatus, of the device under test by the plurality of test modules;
• relaying, by a relay apparatus, communication between the control apparatus and the plurality of test modules;
• communicating, between a communicating section of the control apparatus and a communicating section of the relay apparatus, via a first data signal line;
• transmitting, by an alive signal transmitting section of the relay apparatus via a first alive signal line, an alive signal indicating whether the relay apparatus is in an alive state in which it is capable of communicating with the control apparatus;
• receiving, by an alive signal receiving section of the control apparatus, the alive signal via the first alive signal line;
• transmitting, by a reset signal transmitting section of the control apparatus, a reset signal to the relay apparatus, when the relay apparatus is not in the alive state;
• resetting, by a reset signal receiving section of the relay apparatus, the communicating section of the relay apparatus, when the reset signal is received;
• transmitting, from the communicating section of the control apparatus to the relay apparatus via the first data signal line, a reset request that includes module identification information identifying which test modules are to be reset from among the plurality of test modules;
• and
• resetting, by the communicating section of the relay apparatus, the test modules corresponding to the module identification information included in the reset request received via the first data signal line.