On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:32:43 +0200, Skybuck Flying wrote:

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.

Google is your friend, even if you're a USENET troll.

Search on "built in test" or "BIT" for the military/high-end usage, and
"power on self test" or POST for PC usage.

And get a life.

--
www.wescottdesign.com