Abstract: A method and system for identifying voids in solder balls in a ball-grid array (BGA) using an image of the BGA include localizing an image of a solder ball on the BGA image, the solder ball image having a radius and having multiple points each having an image intensity, and producing a void-free model image of the solder ball based on the radius of the solder ball image, the void-free model image having multiple points each having an image intensity. The method and system also include computing a difference between the image intensities of the points of the solder ball image and the image intensities of the points of the void-free model image to produce a residual image, and identifying a void using the residual image.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that schedules read operations for disk drives in a set of disk drives. During operation, the system monitors a write rate for write operations to a given disk drive in the set of disk drives, wherein vibrations generated by the read operations directed to disk drives in the set of disk drives are transmitted to the given disk drive. Then, the read operations for disk drives in the set of disk drives are scheduled based on the write rate for the given disk drive, thereby limiting interference between the write operations and the vibrations generated by the read operations.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a technique for analyzing a target electromagnetic signal radiating from a monitored system. During the technique, the monitored system is positioned at a first locus of an ellipsoidal surface to amplify the target electromagnetic signal received at a second locus of the ellipsoidal surface. Next, the amplified target electromagnetic signal is monitored using an antenna positioned at the second locus of the ellipsoidal surface. Finally, the integrity of the monitored system is assessed by analyzing the amplified target electromagnetic signal monitored by the antenna.

Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that schedules read operations for disk drives in a set of disk drives. During operation, the system monitors a write rate for write operations to a given disk drive in the set of disk drives, wherein vibrations generated by the read operations directed to disk drives in the set of disk drives are transmitted to the given disk drive. Then, the read operations for disk drives in the set of disk drives are scheduled based on the write rate for the given disk drive, thereby limiting interference between the write operations and the vibrations generated by the read operations.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes the performance of a disk drive at frequencies in a set of frequencies in a frequency range. First, the disk drive is vibrated at each frequency in the set of frequencies, one frequency at a time. During this process, a disk drive performance metric is monitored. Next, the performance of the disk drive is characterized by determining the parameter related to acceleration due to the vibrations for each frequency at which a disk drive performance metric degrades by a predetermined amount from a baseline.

Abstract: A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes multiple sites, where a given site in the multiple sites includes multiple chips with proximity connectors that communicate information through proximity communication within the MCM via multiple components associated with the given site. Note that the MCM includes global redundancy and local redundancy at the given site. In particular, the global redundancy involves providing one or more redundant sites in the multiple sites. Furthermore, the local redundancy involves providing one or more redundant chips in the multiple chips and one or more redundant components in the multiple components.

Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a temperature variation in a computer system. First, a performance parameter of the computer system is monitored. Next, a future temperature of the computer system is predicted based on the performance parameter. Then, a pitch of one or more blades in a cooling device in the computer system is adjusted based on the future temperature to control the temperature variation in the computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that analyzes an electrical connection in a computer system. During operation, the system monitors a reflection coefficient associated with the electrical connection and applies a sequential-analysis technique to the reflection coefficient to determine a statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Next, the system assesses the integrity of the electrical connection based on the statistical deviation of the reflection coefficient. Finally, the system uses the assessed integrity to maintain the electrical connection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines a total whisker length for conductive whiskers on a circuit in a computer system. During operation, a target electromagnetic signal radiating from the computer system is monitored. Then, the target electromagnetic signal is analyzed to determine the total whisker length for conductive whiskers on the circuit in the computer system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that proactively monitors and detects metal whisker growth in a target area within a computer system. During operation, the system collects target electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals using one or more antennas positioned in the vicinity of the target area. Next, the system analyzes the target EMI signals to proactively detect the onset of metal whisker growth in the target area.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying voids in solder balls in a ball-grid array (BGA) using an image of the BGA include localizing an image of a solder ball on the BGA image, the solder ball image having a radius and having multiple points each having an image intensity, and producing a void-free model image of the solder ball based on the radius of the solder ball image, the void-free model image having multiple points each having an image intensity. The method and system also include computing a difference between the image intensities of the points of the solder ball image and the image intensities of the points of the void-free model image to produce a residual image, and identifying a void using the residual image.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for predicting a remaining useful life (RUL) for a component in a set of components within a computer system. The system starts by collecting values of at least one degradation-related parameter associated with the operation of a monitored component within the computer system. Note that the degradation-related parameter is a direct measurement of a degree of degradation of the monitored component. The system additionally collects values of at least one stress-based parameter from the computer system. Note that the stress-based parameter measures an accumulative stress in the operating environment of the set of components which can cause degradation of the set of components. The system then uses the values of the at least one degradation-related parameter and the values of the at least one stress-based parameter to predict an RUL for a component in the set of components.

Abstract: An electronic system includes an accelerometer. A method for excessive mechanical shock feature extraction for overstress event registration and cumulative tracking includes obtaining a sample from the accelerometer. Feature extraction is performed on the sample using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to produce a plurality of modes. A pattern classifier is utilized for processing the plurality of modes to determine if the sample classifies as a shock event. If the sample classifies as a shock event, a shock event counter is incremented. If the shock event counter reaches a specified count, an indication to a user is generated.

Abstract: A test system including a package with switchable paths. The package may have conductive paths that are selected by switches. The electrically switchable conductive paths may yield increased data without significantly increasing the required testing hardware.

Abstract: A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes multiple sites, where a given site in the multiple sites includes multiple chips with proximity connectors that communicate information through proximity communication within the MCM via multiple components associated with the given site. Note that the MCM includes global redundancy and local redundancy at the given site. In particular, the global redundancy involves providing one or more redundant sites in the multiple sites. Furthermore, the local redundancy involves providing one or more redundant chips in the multiple chips and one or more redundant components in the multiple components.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that generates a vibration profile for a rotational device in a computer system. During operation, the system sequentially sweeps a rotation speed of a rotational device over a range of rotation speeds. While driving the rotational device at each rotation speed, the system collects a time-domain vibration signal produced by the rotational device and subsequently computes a frequency spectrum of the time-domain vibration signal. In this way, the system generates a set of frequency spectra associated with the range of rotation speeds. Next, the system combines the set of frequency spectra to generate a composite vibration profile for the rotational device.

Abstract: A method of quantifying a shape of a surface includes measuring an elevation (z) of the surface at a plurality of locations in an x-y plane of the surface. The measurement data is fit to a series expansion in terms of one or more base functions that include a series expansion fit. A vector of shape coefficients are calculated from the series expansion fit. A vector of shape coefficients are output.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a response of a device in a computer system to vibration over a frequency range. During operation, the device is vibrated at each frequency in a set of frequencies in the frequency range, wherein the device is vibrated at each frequency, one frequency at a time, until a stabilized response of the device is determined. The response of the device to vibration over the frequency range is then characterized based on information related to the stabilized response at each frequency in the set of frequencies.