US5504689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for testing computer bus characteristics
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1993-12-16
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Granted: 1996-04-02
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Expires: 2013-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are an apparatus and method preferably for testing personal computer (PC) bus transmission line characteristics. The apparatus comprises: (1) a plurality of transmission line segments having different physical dimensions, each of the plurality of segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon and (2) a switching circuit capable of coupling successive ones of the plurality of segments to an external conductor, an electrical characteristic of the external conductor affected by the coupling of the successive ones of the plurality of segments thereto, the apparatus permitting signals to pass through the external conductor and a selected one of the plurality of segments via the switching circuit. The apparatus allows a determination of a susceptibility of the external conductor to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics brought about by various possible combinations of peripheral expansion bus cards.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory R. Fiebrich
- 👤 James B. Mobley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2205; G06F11/221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for inspecting transmission line effects, comprising: a plurality of transmission line segments having different physical dimensions, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon; and a switching circuit coupling successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments to an external conductor, an electrical characteristic of said external conductor affected by said coupling of said successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments thereto, said apparatus permitting signals to pass through said external conductor and a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said external conductor to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for inspecting transmission line effects, comprising: a plurality of transmission line segments having different physical dimensions, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon; and a switching circuit coupling successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments to an external conductor, an electrical characteristic of said external conductor affected by said coupling of said successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments thereto, said apparatus permitting signals to pass through said external conductor and a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said external conductor to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a model electrical load coupled to a selected one of said plurality of transmission segments, said load further affecting said electrical characteristic of said external conductor when coupled thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said physical dimensions are length and width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said external conductor is a line in a computer bus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said switching circuit comprises a circuit coupling a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments to a selected one of a plurality of external conductors, said plurality of external conductors employed as lines in a computer bus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second switching circuit coupling a selected one of a plurality of model electrical loads to a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially present within a computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of jumpers between said plurality of transmission segments and said external conductor, one of said plurality of jumpers coupling a corresponding one of said plurality of transmission line segments to said external conductor when a shorting block is placed in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a circuit allowing said apparatus to place signals on said external conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a circuit allowing said apparatus to be bus master of a computer, said apparatus placing signals on a computer bus within said computer, said external conductor being one of a number of lines in said computer bus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is located on a peripheral card suitable for placement in an expansion slot of a personal computer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of inspecting transmission line effects, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of transmission line segments having different physical dimensions, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon; coupling successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments to an external conductor with a switching circuit, an electrical characteristic of said external conductor affected by said coupling of said successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments thereto; and passing signals through said external conductor and a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said external conductor to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of inspecting transmission line effects, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of transmission line segments having different physical dimensions, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon; coupling successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments to an external conductor with a switching circuit, an electrical characteristic of said external conductor affected by said coupling of said successive ones of said plurality of transmission line segments thereto; and passing signals through said external conductor and a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said external conductor to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling a model electrical load to a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, said load further affecting said electrical characteristic of said external conductor when coupled thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said physical dimensions are length and width.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said external conductor is a line in a computer bus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments to a selected one of a plurality of external conductors, said plurality of external conductors employed as lines in a computer bus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of coupling a selected one of a plurality of model electrical loads to a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially present within a computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of jumpers between said plurality of transmission line segments and said external conductor, said method further comprising the step of coupling, with one of said plurality of jumpers, a corresponding one of said plurality of transmission line segments to said external conductor by placing a shorting block in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of placing signals on said external conductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of activating an arbiter and driver circuit placing signals on a computer bus within said computer, said external conductor being one of a number of lines in said computer bus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said plurality of transmission line segments and said switching circuit are located on a peripheral card suitable for placement in an expansion slot of a personal computer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for inspecting transmission line effects on a computer bus, comprising: an expansion bus card adapted to engage with an electrical bus in a personal computer (PC) expansion slot via a card edge; a plurality of transmission line segments having different widths and lengths positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon, said plurality of transmission line segments simulating other expansion bus cards potentially coupled to said electrical bus during operation of said PC; a plurality of model electrical loads having different electrical characteristics positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of model electrical loads having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted therethrough, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially coupled to said electrical bus via said other expansion bus cards; a switching circuit positioned on said expansion bus card coupling a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments to a selected conductor of said electrical bus via a corresponding contact on said card edge, said switching circuit further coupling a selected one of said plurality of model electrical loads to said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, an electrical characteristic of said selected conductor affected thereby, said apparatus permitting signals on said selected conductor to pass through said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said card edge conductor and said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said electrical bus to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics; and an arbiter and driver circuit allowing said apparatus optionally to generate signals on said PC electrical bus for transmission into said selected transmission line.-;
Claim 24
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for inspecting transmission line effects on a computer bus, comprising: an expansion bus card adapted to engage with an electrical bus in a personal computer (PC) expansion slot via a card edge; a plurality of transmission line segments having different widths and lengths positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon, said plurality of transmission line segments simulating other expansion bus cards potentially coupled to said electrical bus during operation of said PC; a plurality of model electrical loads having different electrical characteristics positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of model electrical loads having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted therethrough, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially coupled to said electrical bus via said other expansion bus cards; a switching circuit positioned on said expansion bus card coupling a selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments to a selected conductor of said electrical bus via a corresponding contact on said card edge, said switching circuit further coupling a selected one of said plurality of model electrical loads to said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, an electrical characteristic of said selected conductor affected thereby, said apparatus permitting signals on said selected conductor to pass through said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said card edge conductor and said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said electrical bus to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics; and an arbiter and driver circuit allowing said apparatus optionally to generate signals on said PC electrical bus for transmission into said selected transmission line.-;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of jumpers between said plurality of transmission line segments and contacts on said card edge, one of said plurality of jumpers coupling a corresponding one of said plurality of transmission line segments to said external conductor when a shorting block is placed in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said switching circuit comprises a second plurality of jumpers between said plurality of model electrical loads and said plurality of transmission line segments, one of said second plurality of jumpers coupling one of said plurality of model electrical loads to one of said plurality of transmission line segments when a shorting block is placed in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said plurality of transmission line segments are electrical traces on said expansion bus card.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said plurality of model electrical loads are comprised of components selected from the group consisting of: resistors, diodes and capacitors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said electrical bus comprises address, data and control buses.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising a circuit coupling a portion of said electrical bus to said arbiter and driver circuit to allow said arbiter and driver circuit to generate signals on said portion of said electrical bus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said electrical bus conforms to a standard architecture selected from the group consisting of: Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Expanded Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) and Micro-Channel Architecture (MCA).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of switches selected from the group consisting of: jumpers, relays and electronic switches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising a plurality of test points located on said expansion bus card.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of inspecting transmission line effects, comprising the steps of: installing an expansion bus card into a personal computer (PC) expansion slot, a card edge on said expansion bus card coupling with an electrical bus in said PC; selecting one of a plurality of transmission line segments having different widths and lengths positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon, said plurality of transmission line segments simulating other expansion bus cards potentially coupled to said electrical bus during operation of said PC; optionally selecting one of a plurality of model electrical loads having different electrical characteristics positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of model electrical loads having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted therethrough, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially coupled to said electrical bus via said other expansion bus cards; configuring a switching circuit positioned on said expansion bus card to electrically couple said selected segment to a selected conductor of said electrical bus via a corresponding contact on said card edge; optionally configuring said switching circuit to electrically couple said optionally selected load to said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, an electrical characteristic of said selected conductor affected thereby permitting signals on said selected conductor to pass through said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said card edge conductor and said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said electrical bus to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics; and optionally allowing an arbiter and driver circuit to generate signals on said PC electrical bus for transmission into said selected transmission line.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of inspecting transmission line effects, comprising the steps of: installing an expansion bus card into a personal computer (PC) expansion slot, a card edge on said expansion bus card coupling with an electrical bus in said PC; selecting one of a plurality of transmission line segments having different widths and lengths positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of transmission line segments having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted thereon, said plurality of transmission line segments simulating other expansion bus cards potentially coupled to said electrical bus during operation of said PC; optionally selecting one of a plurality of model electrical loads having different electrical characteristics positioned on said expansion bus card, each of said plurality of model electrical loads having a different electrical effect on signals transmitted therethrough, said plurality of model electrical loads simulating loads potentially coupled to said electrical bus via said other expansion bus cards; configuring a switching circuit positioned on said expansion bus card to electrically couple said selected segment to a selected conductor of said electrical bus via a corresponding contact on said card edge; optionally configuring said switching circuit to electrically couple said optionally selected load to said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments, an electrical characteristic of said selected conductor affected thereby permitting signals on said selected conductor to pass through said selected one of said plurality of transmission line segments via said card edge conductor and said switching circuit to allow a determination of a susceptibility of said electrical bus to changes in transmission line electrical characteristics; and optionally allowing an arbiter and driver circuit to generate signals on said PC electrical bus for transmission into said selected transmission line.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of jumpers between said plurality of transmission line segments and contacts on said card edge, one of said plurality of jumpers coupling a corresponding one of said plurality of transmission line segments to said external conductor when a shorting block is placed in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said switching circuit comprises a second plurality of jumpers between said plurality of model electrical loads and said plurality of transmission line segments, one of said second plurality of jumpers coupling one of said plurality of model electrical loads to one of said plurality of transmission line segments when a shorting block is placed in said one of said plurality of jumpers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said plurality of transmission line segments are electrical traces on said expansion bus card.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said plurality of model electrical loads are comprised of components selected from the group consisting of: resistors, diodes and capacitors.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said electrical bus comprises address, data and control buses.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 31 further comprising the step of coupling a portion of said electrical bus to said arbiter and driver circuit to allow said arbiter and driver circuit to generate signals on said portion of said electrical bus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said electrical bus conforms to a standard architecture selected from the group consisting of: Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Expanded Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) and Micro-Channel Architecture (MCA).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 31 wherein said switching circuit comprises a plurality of switches selected from the group consisting of: jumpers, relays and electronic switches.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 31 further comprising the step of deriving said signals from a selected one of a plurality of test points located on said expansion bus card.
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) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |