US3867618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic power supply test system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A test system is connected to power supply means in a data processing system to detect and locate faults which occur due to power supply loading conditions. The data processing system has several functional units, each of which is powered by separate power supply means. The test system which is connected to and monitors the output of each of the power supply means includes filtering means for separating high frequency components from low frequency components, positive and negative polarity level detection means for the high frequency components and for the low frequency components and direct current positive and negative threshold detectors. When the system is in the power test mode, the outputs from the level and threshold detectors are gated to voltage status registers which are periodically interrogated by the data processing system to determine if a fault has occurred due to power supply loading conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Burton L Oliver
- 👤 Wayne R Sitler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for testing power supply means in a data processing system, comprising: a data processing system having a plurality of functional units, each said functional unit having one or more independent power supply means; means for operating said data processing system to exercise each of said plurality of functional units to cause a predetermined series of active power supply loading conditions followed by inactive power supply loading conditions to occur; and means connected to said data processing system and responsive to said active and inactive power supply loading conditions for determining the occurrence and location of faults.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for testing power supply means in a data processing system, comprising: a data processing system having a plurality of functional units, each said functional unit having one or more independent power supply means; means for operating said data processing system to exercise each of said plurality of functional units to cause a predetermined series of active power supply loading conditions followed by inactive power supply loading conditions to occur; and means connected to said data processing system and responsive to said active and inactive power supply loading conditions for determining the occurrence and location of faults.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for operating said data processing system comprises: microprogram control means for activating a maximum number of circuits in one of said functional units cyclically during one period of time to produce said active power supply loading conditions and for not activating said circuits during a succeeding period of time to produce said inactive power supply loading conditions, thereby to cause a worst-case power supply loading condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fault determining means further comprises monitor means for monitoring output characteristics of said power supply means, gating means for gating digital indications of said output characteristics and storage means for storing said digital indications.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said monitor means further comprises: filter means to separate a first alternating current output characteristic from a second output characteristic of said power supply means and level detecting means for generating a digital indication of error when either of said output characteristics exceed a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus, for testing power supply means in a data processing system comprising: microprogram control means for operating said data processing system to produce a series of active power supply loading conditIons followed by inactive power supply loading conditions, thereby to cause said power supply means to be presented with a worst-case loading condition; means connected to said power supply means for filtering a first alternating current component, produced by the active power supply loading conditions, from a second alternating current component, produced by the active and inactive power supply loading conditions, of an output of said power supply means; threshold detecting means connected to said filter means for detecting the magnitude of said first and second alternating current components; direct current threshold detector means for monitoring a direct current output characteristic of said power supply means; and storage means for storing digital indications from said threshold detecting means representative of the status of said power supply means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus, for testing power supply means in a data processing system comprising: microprogram control means for operating said data processing system to produce a series of active power supply loading conditIons followed by inactive power supply loading conditions, thereby to cause said power supply means to be presented with a worst-case loading condition; means connected to said power supply means for filtering a first alternating current component, produced by the active power supply loading conditions, from a second alternating current component, produced by the active and inactive power supply loading conditions, of an output of said power supply means; threshold detecting means connected to said filter means for detecting the magnitude of said first and second alternating current components; direct current threshold detector means for monitoring a direct current output characteristic of said power supply means; and storage means for storing digital indications from said threshold detecting means representative of the status of said power supply means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |