Hello,

I had an idea how electronics might be diagnosed and repaired more quickly.

The idea is to add "debug leds" to electronics, and some kind of "debug
circuitry".

The designer knows what kind of inputs and outputs are expected for certain
components.

The designer then adds the debug circuitry to be able to measure if the
inputs and outputs correspond to what is expected.

The debug circuitry could be attached to special power lines or so to be
able to turn them on and off.

So during a repair session an electronics repairman could turn on the "debug
circuitry" and quickly get an idea
of how many components are potentially dead... because the debug leds don't
come on.

All good electronics would have the led on.

All bad electronics would have the led off.

Now the repairman can quickly proceed to the dead electronics and replace
them.

However there might be a problem if certain components depend on the inputs
and outputs of other electronics.

Then a cascade of "false" failures could happen.

To prevent this all electronics would have to be tested seperatedly by the
seperate "debug circuitry"...

As to be able to "debug" all electroncics individually.

So the debug electronics could have two modes:

1. "Cascade mode" where the inputs and outputs are compared to values which
corresponds with a correctly working circuitry.

2. "Individual mode" where the inputs and outputs are compared to individuel
values which correspond with a correctly working component when it's
individually powered on/tested.

Adding this kind of debug electronics would add to the cost so this should
be able to be done cheaply... with some kind of cheap debug electronics.

What do you electronics experts think of this idea, is it feasible or not
feasible ? please motivate your answers !

Bye,
Skybuck.