SELF-DIAGNOSING MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND SELF-DIAGNOSIS METHOD

Abstract

A self-diagnosing measurement system is described. The measurement system includes a first measurement instrument, a device under test, and a diagnosis module. The first measurement instrument is connected with the device under test in a signal transmitting manner. The first measurement instrument includes a testing module. The testing module is configured to automatically conduct a predefined test routine on the device under test. The diagnosis module is configured to automatically conduct a diagnosis routine on the measurement system in order to detect faults in the measurement system. Further, a self-diagnosis method for detecting faults in a measurement system is described.

Claims

1. A self-diagnosing measurement system, the measurement system comprising a first measurement instrument, a device under test, and a diagnosis circuit, the first measurement instrument being connected with the device under test in a signal transmitting manner, the first measurement instrument comprising a testing circuit, the testing circuit being configured to automatically conduct a predefined test routine on the device under test, and the diagnosis circuit being configured to automatically conduct a diagnosis routine on the measurement system in order to detect faults in the measurement system.

2. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the diagnosis circuit is configured to control the first measurement instrument in order to conduct the diagnosis routine.

3. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the first measurement instrument comprises the diagnosis circuit.

4. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the measurement system comprises a separately formed computing device being connected to the first measurement instrument, wherein the computing device is configured to control the first measurement instrument.

5. The measurement system of claim 4, wherein the computing device comprises the diagnosis circuit.

6. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the diagnosis circuit is configured to generate an error report based on the diagnosis routine conducted.

7. The measurement system of claim 6, wherein the error report comprises user guidance information, the user guidance information being associated with at least one of an interpretation of results of the diagnosis routine and a possible way to fix faults in the measurement system.

8. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the predefined test routine is associated with a compliance test.

9. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the measurement system comprises connection means, the connection means being configured to connect the device under test at least to the first measurement instrument.

10. The measurement system of claim 9, wherein the connection means comprise at least one of a measurement probe and a test fixture.

11. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the first measurement instrument is established as an oscilloscope.

12. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the measurement system comprises at least one second measurement instrument.

13. The measurement system of claim 12, wherein the second measurement instrument is established as at least one of a vector network analyzer and a signal generator.

14. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the device under test is established as a data bus device.

15. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the diagnosis routine is associated with at least one of a software licensing status, an instrument remote control software, a test report generation software, a test data logging software, a remote service, an instrument communication, a text execution engine, a test performance, and an advanced test mode control.

16. A self-diagnosis method for detecting faults in a measurement system according to claim 1, wherein a diagnosis routine is conducted by the diagnosis circuit in order to detect faults in the measurement system.

17. The self-diagnosis method of claim 16, wherein the first measurement instrument is controlled by the diagnosis circuit in order to conduct the diagnosis routine.

18. The self-diagnosis method of claim 16, wherein the diagnosis routine is associated with at least one of a software licensing status, an instrument remote control software, a test report generation software, a test data logging software, a remote service, an instrument communication, a text execution engine, a test performance, and an advanced test mode control.

19. The self-diagnosis method of claim 16, wherein the device under test is established as a data bus device.

20. The self-diagnosis method of claim 19, wherein the diagnosis routine is associated with a data bus device compliance test.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0040] FIG. 1 schematically shows a self-diagnosing measurement system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a representative embodiment of a user interface of the self-diagnosing measurement system of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary error report; and

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a further error report.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

[0045] FIG. 1 schematically shows a self-diagnosing measurement system 10. The self-diagnosing measurement system 10 comprises a device under test 12, a first measurement instrument 14, a second measurement instrument 16, a signal generator 18, a computing device 20, and connection means 22, such as a connector.

[0046] The device under test 12 is established as, for example, a data bus device. In some embodiments, the device under test 12 is established as an Ethernet device that is configured to communicate with other electronic devices based on an Ethernet standard, e.g. based on Ethernet 10G, Ethernet 2.5/5G, 10BASE-T1, 100BASE-T1, and/or 1000BASE-T1. For example, the device under test 12 may be established as an automotive Ethernet device, which is configured to communicate with other automotive electronic components based on any of the Ethernet standards described above.

[0047] The first measurement instrument 14 is established as, for example, an oscilloscope, for example as a digital oscilloscope. The first measurement instrument 14 comprises a testing module 24, comprised for example of one or more testing circuits, that is configured to automatically conduct a predefined test routine on the device under test 12.

[0048] In some embodiments, the term “module” refers to a combination of hardware (e.g. a processor such as an integrated circuit or other circuitry) and software (e.g. machine- or processor-executable instructions, commands, or code such as firmware, programming, or object code). Furthermore, a combination of hardware and software may include hardware only (i.e. a hardware element with no software elements), software hosted at hardware (e.g. software that is stored at a memory and executed or interpreted at a processor), or hardware with the software hosted thereon. In some embodiments, the hardware may, inter alia, comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other types of electronic circuitry.

[0049] The second measurement instrument 16 is established as, for example, a vector network analyzer. Alternatively, the second measurement instrument 16 may be established as a vector signal analyzer, an oscilloscope, or as any other type of measurement instrument that is needed for performing particular (compliance) tests on the device under test 12.

[0050] The signal generator 18 is configured to generate a predefined signal generator signal. For example, the signal generator 18 may be established as an arbitrary signal generator. It is noted that the signal generator 18 may also be integrated into the first measurement instrument 14 and/or into the second measurement instrument 16.

[0051] In some embodiments, the computing device 20 is established separately from the first measurement instrument 14 and from the second measurement instrument 16. The computing device 20 may be established as a PC, a laptop, a smart phone, a tablet, or as any other type of suitable smart device. In these or other embodiments, the computing device 20 includes one or more processor circuits, etc.

[0052] In some embodiments, the computing device 20 comprises a memory 26, a diagnosis module 28, and a processing unit 30. The diagnosis module 28 is established, for example, as a software module that is stored in the memory 26 of the external computing device 20, and that can be executed on the processing unit 30. The processing unit 30 may comprise a CPU, a GPU, an FPGA, an ASIC, a DSP, and/or other types of electronic processing circuitry. Alternatively, the diagnosis module 28, or portions thereof, may be implemented in hardware circuits (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0053] As is indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, the diagnosis module 28 may alternatively or additionally be implemented in the first measurement instrument 14.

[0054] In some embodiments, the connection means 22 comprises a measurement probe 32 and a test fixture 34. In general, the measurement probe 32 is configured to pick up a measurement signal from the device under test 12 and to forward the measurement signal to the first measurement instrument 14 and/or to the second measurement instrument 16. In some embodiments, the measurement probe 32 is established as a high-impedance differential probe.

[0055] The test fixture 34 is configured to hold the device under test 12 in place and/or to fixate the measurement probe 32 with respect to the device under test 12, e.g. in a particular measurement position. For example, the test fixture 34 may comprise a rack with one or several holders, to which the device under test 12 and/or the measurement probe 32 can be attached.

[0056] The computing device 20 is connected to each of the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and the signal generator 18 in a signal transmitting manner. In general, the term “connected in a signal transmitting manner” is understood to denote a cable-based or wireless connection that is configured to transmit signals between the respective devices or components.

[0057] Without restriction of generality, the term “connected in a signal transmitting manner” is understood to denote a cable-based connection in the following. Each of the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and the signal generator 18 is connected to the device under test 12 in a signal transmitting manner Moreover, the measurement probe 32 is connected to the first measurement instrument 14, and to the second measurement instrument 16 in a signal transmitting manner Optionally, the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and the signal generator 18 may be mutually connected in a signal transmitting manner.

[0058] In general, the self-diagnosing measurement system 10 is configured to conduct compliance tests on the device under test 12, for example Ethernet compliance tests. More precisely, the testing module 24 is configured to automatically conduct the compliance tests on the device under test 12.

[0059] For this purpose, the testing module 24 may generate a corresponding test signal that is forwarded to the device under test 12. Alternatively or additionally, the testing module 24 may control the signal generator 18 to generate the test signal.

[0060] In some embodiments, the computing device 20 may be used to control the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16 and/or the signal generator 18 in order to conduct the compliance tests.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the computing device 20 and/or the first measurement instrument 14 may comprise a user interface that can be used by a user of the measurement system in order to control the first measurement instrument 14, for example in order to initiate a specific compliance test routine or in order to perform specific measurements.

[0062] A response of the device under test 12 to the test signal is picked up by the measurement probe 32 and is forwarded to the first measurement instrument 14 and/or to the second measurement instrument 16. The first measurement instrument 14 and/or the second measurement instrument 16 then analyzes the response signal of the device under test 12 in order to determine whether the device under test 12 has failed or passed the compliance test.

[0063] The self-diagnosing measurement system 10 described above comprises several different possible error sources. For example, there may be a faulty cable connecting two of the components of the self-diagnosing measurement system 10, a faulty connection to one of the components of the self-diagnosing measurement system 10, a firmware error in any of the measurement instruments 14, 16 or in the signal generator 18, or a software error in any of the measurement instruments 14, 16 or in the signal generator 18.

[0064] Each of these faults may result in a different error during the compliance tests described above. For example, no signal or a wrong signal may be transmitted between two or several components of the self-diagnosing measurement system. As a further example, a transmitted signal level may be too low, or a signal may have an unwanted offset.

[0065] The self-diagnosing measurement system 10 is configured to automatically detect or rather identify such faults within the self-diagnosing measurement system 10 by a self-diagnosis method that is described in more detail in the following.

[0066] The diagnosis module 28 automatically conducts a diagnosis routine on the measurement system 10. In some embodiments, the diagnosis routine comprises a sequence of predefined diagnosis tests that are performed on the measurement system 10 in a predefined order. Each diagnosis test is associated with at least one, for example with two or several of a software licensing status, an instrument remote control software, a test report generation software, a test data logging software, a remote service, an instrument communication, a text execution engine, a test performance, and/or an advanced test mode control.

[0067] The remote service may be associated with a customer service that is performed on the measurement system 10 by an external server. For example, the remote service may relate to a remote test system analysis. As a further example, the remote service may relate to a remote calibration of the first measurement instrument 14, of the second measurement instrument 16, and/or of the signal generator 18. As another example, the remote service may relate to a remote maintenance of the first measurement instrument 14, of the second measurement instrument 16, of the signal generator 18, or of the computing device 20.

[0068] The diagnosis module 28 may control the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and/or the signal generator 18 in order to conduct the diagnosis routine. Thus, the diagnosis module 28 may control the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and/or the signal generator 18 to enter a certain operational mode, e.g. a certain measurement mode.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the diagnosis module 28 may control the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16, and/or the signal generator 18 to generate a certain diagnosis test signal that is forwarded to the device under test 12, wherein the diagnosis test signal has predefined properties depending on the exact type of diagnosis test to be conducted.

[0070] A response signal of the device under test 12 to the diagnosis test signal is picked up by the measurement probe 32 and is forwarded to the first measurement instrument 14 and/or to the second measurement instrument 16. The response signal of the device under test 12 to the diagnosis test signal may also be forwarded to the computing device 20.

[0071] The response signal of the device under test 12 is analyzed by the first measurement instrument 14, the second measurement instrument 16 and/or the diagnosis module 28. The analysis results obtained by the first measurement instrument 14 and/or the second measurement instrument 16 may also be forwarded to the diagnosis module 28.

[0072] The diagnosis module 28 generates an error report based on the results of the individual diagnosis tests. An example for such an error report is shown in FIG. 3.

[0073] The error report comprises information on the individual diagnosis tests conducted within the diagnosis routine, for example on the individual components of the measurement system 10 targeted by the respective diagnosis test. Moreover, the error report comprises information on whether the individual tests have been passed or failed by the measurement system 10. Additionally, the error report may comprise measurement values that have been obtained during the individual diagnosis tests of the diagnosis routine. Thus, the error report provides an overview of all information that is necessary for debugging the measurement system 10.

[0074] As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the error report may further comprise user guidance information. The user guidance information is associated with an interpretation of the results of the diagnosis routine and a possible way to fix faults in the measurement system 10, if at least one such fault has been encountered.

[0075] For example, the upper box in FIG. 4, which is labeled “Test Performance”, comprises a warning for the user that default calibration data (e.g. for the second measurement instrument 16 being established as a vector signal analyzer) is in use, which may impair the test performance. The user is instructed to run an automatic calibration in order to enhance the test performance.

[0076] The user guidance information may comprise text, graphics, pictograms, audio files, video files, etc. For example, the user guidance information may comprise an annotated visual representation of the measurement system 10 with arrows indicating possible error sources within the measurement system 10, and a description of how to fix these errors. Such user guidance information may be suitable rendered on a display associated with the test system,

[0077] Summarizing, the self-diagnosing measurement system 10 described above is configured to verify the functionality of all of its components automatically by the diagnosis routine that is conducted by the diagnosis module 28. The diagnosis module 28 performs the diagnosis routine automatically, such that there is no need for a user to set specific parameters for the diagnosis routine. Thus, the expertise required from user of the measurement system 10 for running a diagnosis on the measurement system 10 as well as the time needed for performing diagnosis tests on the measurement system 10 are reduced considerably.

[0078] Certain embodiments disclosed herein utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used. It will be appreciated that the term “information” can be use synonymously with the term “signals” in this paragraph. It will be further appreciated that the terms “circuitry,” “circuit,” “one or more circuits,” etc., can be used synonymously herein.

[0079] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0080] In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0081] In some examples, the functionality described herein can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0082] Of course, in some embodiments, two or more of these components, or parts thereof, can be integrated or share hardware and/or software, circuitry, etc. In some embodiments, these components, or parts thereof, may be grouped in a single location or distributed over a wide area. In circumstances were the components are distributed, the components are accessible to each other via communication links.

[0083] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about”, “approximately”, “near” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value.

[0084] Certain embodiments disclosed herein utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used.

[0085] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof).

[0086] In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes an implementation comprising one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0087] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is equivalent to “A and/or B” or vice versa, namely “A” alone, “B” alone or “A and B.”. Similarly, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

[0088] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.