Method for isolating an I2C bus fault using self bus switching device
US6769078B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/221
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method system, and computer program product for determining the source of a fault within a bus, such as, for example, an inter integrated circuit (I2C) bus is provided. In one embodiment, a bus driver monitors the bus for faults. If a fault occurs on the bus, the bus driver resets each switch on the bus and then turns on the first switch connected to the bus driver. If the fault is encountered after turning on the first switch, then it is determined that the fault was caused by either the first switch, a device connected to the bus as a result of turning on the first switch, or one of the bus connectors just switched on as a result of turning on the first switch. If the fault is not encountered, the next switch is turned on and the process is repeated until the fault is encountered. The fault when encountered will be caused by either the most recently turned on switch or a device or bus connectors switched in by the turning on of the last switch. Thus, the fault can be isolated to a few devices, switches, or bus connections rather than the large number of potential devices, switches, or bus connections that could have potentially caused the fault.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.