Abstract: An apparatus for use in testing a device includes a communication channel having a set of programmable parameters associated therewith. The programmable parameters result in a bias condition on the communication channel. A bias control circuit is used to affect the bias condition that results from the programmable parameters in order to emulate a desired bias condition.

Abstract: A system includes a driver device configured to transmit a first signal through a communication line to a device that is external to the system; wherein the communication line is configured to (i) receive signals from the system and to transmit signals to the system, and (ii) receive signals from the device that is external to the system and to transmit signals to the device that is external to the system; a reference device configured to generate a reference value; and a receiver configured to: receive, through the communication line, a second signal affected by an output from the device that is external to the system; and determine a logic state of the device external to the system based on: a value associated with the second signal on the communication line; a value associated with the first signal transmitted by the driver device; and the reference value.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in testing a device includes a communication channel having a set of programmable parameters associated therewith. The programmable parameters result in a bias condition on the communication channel. A bias control circuit is used to affect the bias condition that results from the programmable parameters in order to emulate a desired bias condition.

Abstract: An interface for a bus test instrument is readily adaptable for testing a wide range of bus types. The interface includes a pair of transmit lines and a pair of receive lines. A transmitting circuit is adaptable for transmitting either single-ended or differential signals over the transmit lines, and at least one receiving circuit is adaptable for receiving either single-ended or differential signals from either the receive lines or the transmit lines. The flexible interface allows the testing of single-ended and differential busses, as well as busses that support both unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

Abstract: Automatic test equipment including a digital test instrument that may test for and respond to over-voltage conditions. Information on over-voltage conditions may be used in detecting or diagnosing fault conditions within a system under test. Over-voltage conditions may be monitored as part of a test to determine the time and the channels on which they occur. A test may fail if an over-voltage condition is detected and the results of the test may indicate when and where the over-voltage condition occurred. Alternatively, indications of over-voltage conditions may be used to alter the test environment. In response to an over-voltage condition, units under test may be disconnected from the test environment to avoid exposing circuitry within those units to voltage levels that may damage or stress components. Alternatively, indications of an over-voltage condition may be used to disconnect from the test environment equipment that may be generating the over-voltage conditions.

Abstract: An interface for a bus test instrument is readily adaptable for testing a wide range of bus types. The interface includes a pair of transmit lines and a pair of receive lines. A transmitting circuit is adaptable for transmitting either single-ended or differential signals over the transmit lines, and at least one receiving circuit is adaptable for receiving either single-ended or differential signals from either the receive lines or the transmit lines. The flexible interface allows the testing of single-ended and differential busses, as well as busses that support both unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

Abstract: An interface for a bus test instrument is readily adaptable for testing a wide range of bus types. The interface includes a pair of transmit lines and a pair of receive lines. A transmitting circuit is adaptable for transmitting either single-ended or differential signals over the transmit lines, and at least one receiving circuit is adaptable for receiving either single-ended or differential signals from either the receive lines or the transmit lines. The flexible interface allows the testing of single-ended and differential busses, as well as busses that support both unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

Abstract: A driver circuit suitable for use in automatic test equipment includes a driver input for receiving an input signal and a driver output for producing an output signal. The driver input is coupled to respective inputs of first and second amplifiers. The first amplifier has an output that can substantially source current only, and the second amplifier has an output that can substantially sink current only. The outputs of the first and second amplifiers are coupled to the driver output, for producing the driver output signal. The driver circuit further includes a disable circuit having an input for receiving a drive disable signal and at least one output coupled to the first and second amplifiers. The driver circuit is constructed and arranged so that the disable circuit drives the first amplifier low and the second amplifier high in response to an activation of the drive disable signal. These actions cut off output current and effectively tristate the driver circuit.