Apparatus and method for testing computer bus characteristics
US5504689A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/221
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.