Test system for electronic devices with radio frequency signature extraction means

Claim 1

A test system for comparatively analyzing a complex signal indicative of the operational status of an electronic device to be tested comprising in combination: means for sampling a signal whose characteristics are indicative of an unknown operational status of an electronic device to produce a comparison data base; means for processing said comparison data base to produce comparison transform coefficients; means for comparing said comparison transform coefficients with a plurality of reference transform coefficients representative of a desired operational status of said device to determine the actual operational status of said electronic device; wherein said means for sampling said signal includes a conductive element capacity coupled to said electronic device and permanently mounted in a fixed spatial relationship with said electronic device; a sampling circuit; means for electrically connecting said sampling circuit to said conductive element; wherein said conductive element is embedded in an insulating housing of said electronic device; and wherein said means for electrically connecting comprises a tab electrically connected to said conductive element and extending through an external surface of said insulating housing.