CN106896311B

CN106896311B - Measuring tool

Info

Publication number: CN106896311B
Application number: CN201510957705.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李延霖; 黄劲勋
Original assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2020-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-18
Also published as: CN106896311A

Abstract

A measuring tool is suitable for being inserted into a first slot of a mainboard. The measuring tool comprises a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a processing unit. The first connecting end is used for being inserted into the first slot in a pluggable mode. The second connecting end is used for being inserted into the first slot in a pluggable mode. The processing unit is electrically connected with the first connecting end and the second connecting end. When the first connecting end or the second connecting end is inserted into the first slot, the processing unit is used for transmitting a control signal to the control unit of the mainboard through the first slot. During measurement, the control unit of the mainboard can be controlled by the measuring tool provided by the invention, so that each element on the mainboard is controlled to act to provide corresponding voltage, current or signals. Therefore, the mainboard can be measured without starting the mainboard.

Description

Measuring tool

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a measuring tool, and more particularly to a measuring tool for electronic components.

Background

As a communication medium for various electronic components in an electronic product, the motherboard is loaded with the various electronic components to provide diversified functions for users. In order to meet different requirements, different levels or different types of computational performance are required for corresponding electronic products. Even if the electronic products are of the same type, manufacturers can launch different series of product series according to different customers.

In the conventional measurement method, in addition to providing power to the motherboard, the motherboard needs to be started, for example, a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the motherboard is started, so that the motherboard can measure the output current and voltage of the measurement fixture. However, starting up the motherboard requires a lot of start-up time, which is time consuming and reduces the efficiency of the testing process.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a measuring tool to overcome the problem that the mainboard needs to be started in a time-consuming manner when the mainboard is measured in the prior art.

The invention provides a measuring jig which is suitable for being inserted into a first slot of a mainboard. The measuring jig comprises a first connecting end, a second connecting end and a processing unit. The first connecting end is used for being inserted into the first slot in a pluggable mode. The second connecting end is used for being inserted into the first slot in a pluggable mode. The processing unit is electrically connected with the first connecting end and the second connecting end. When the first connecting end or the second connecting end is inserted into the first slot, the processing unit is used for transmitting a control signal to the control unit of the mainboard through the first slot.

In summary, the present invention provides a measuring tool. When the first connecting end or the second connecting end is inserted into the first slot of the mainboard, the processing unit is used for transmitting the control signal to the control unit of the mainboard through the first slot. Therefore, the control unit of the mainboard can be controlled by the measuring tool provided by the invention during measurement, so that each element on the mainboard is controlled to act to provide corresponding voltage, current or signals. Therefore, the mainboard can be measured without starting the mainboard.

The foregoing description of the disclosure and the following detailed description are presented to illustrate and explain the principles and spirit of the invention and to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the measuring tool shown in fig. 1A according to the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2B is a schematic perspective view of the measuring tool shown in fig. 2A according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention.

Wherein the reference numerals are as follows:

1000 measurement jig

1200 first connection end

1300 storage medium

1400 second connecting end

1600 processing unit

1800 control connection end

1900 power supply connection end

2000. 2000' mainboard

2200. 2200' first slot

2400 electronic component

2600 second slot

2800 control unit

3000 computer

4000 power supply

Detailed Description

The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following embodiments, which are sufficient for those skilled in the art to understand the technical contents of the present invention and to implement the present invention, and the related objects and advantages of the present invention can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present specification, the claims and the accompanying drawings. The following examples further illustrate aspects of the present invention in detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

Referring to fig. 1A, fig. 1B, fig. 2A and fig. 2B, fig. 1A is a functional block diagram of a measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 1B is a perspective view of the measurement fixture according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 1A, fig. 2A is a functional block diagram of a measurement fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2B is a perspective view of the measurement fixture according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 2A. As shown, the measuring tool 1000 is adapted to be inserted into the first slot 2200 of the motherboard 2000. The measuring tool 1000 includes a first connecting end 1200, a second connecting end 1400 and a processing unit 1600. The first connection end 1200 is configured to be inserted into the first slot 2200 in a pluggable manner. The second connecting end 1400 is inserted into the first slot 2200' in a pluggable manner. The processing unit 1600 is electrically connected to the first connection end 1200 and the second connection end 1400. The motherboard 2000 has, for example, a first slot 2200, a second slot 2600, an electronic device 2400, and a control unit 2800. The first socket 2200 or the first socket 2200' is electrically connected to the second socket 2600 and the control unit 2800.

The first slot 2200 or the first slot 2200' is, for example, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface or a Peripheral component Interconnect Express X1 (PCI-E X1) interface of the Peripheral component Interconnect Express version X1. In one embodiment, the first connection end 1200 is different from the second connection end 1400. The first connection end 1200 and the second connection end 1400 are, for example, interfaces related to the external connection standard or the fast external connection standard X1 version, respectively. The second slot 2600 is, for example, a slot of a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processing unit 1600 is, for example, a Micro Control Unit (MCU), an Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a Field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 2800 is, for example, a south bridge chip or a north bridge chip of the motherboard 2000. The electronic component 2400 is, for example, a pulse width modulated integrated circuit (PWM IC) or a related circuit for generating a clock signal or a control signal. The foregoing is exemplary only, and is not intended to be limiting in nature.

The following description will be made of an embodiment in which the first slot 2200 and the first connection terminal 1200 are related interfaces of the external connection standard, and the first slot 2200' and the second connection terminal 1400 are related interfaces of the version of the shortcut external connection standard X1. In other words, in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 1, the first slot 2200 and the first connection end 1200 are related interfaces of the external connection standard, and the measuring tool 1000 is electrically connected to the motherboard 2000 through the first slot 2200. In the embodiment corresponding to fig. 2, the first slot 2200' and the second connector 1400 are related interfaces of the external connection standard, and the measuring tool 1000 is electrically connected to the motherboard 2000 through the second connector 1400.

When the first connection end 1200 is inserted into the first slot 2200 or the second connection end 1400 is inserted into the first slot 2200 ', the processing unit 1600 is configured to transmit a control signal to the control unit 2800 of the motherboard 2000 through the first slot 2200 or the first slot 2200' to instruct the control unit 2800 to control other elements of the motherboard 2000. The following description will be made with reference to the embodiments corresponding to fig. 1A and 1B. In one embodiment, the processing unit 1600 instructs the control unit 2800 to control the electronic device 2400 on the motherboard 2000 to power up, provide a clock signal, or provide a control signal to the second socket 2600 via the first socket 2200.

In the above-mentioned structure, the second socket 2600 may further be provided with another type of second measuring tool to measure whether the voltage level at each contact in the second socket 2600 meets the requirement. Therefore, in another embodiment, the first slot 2200 is electrically connected to the second slot 2600 by a channel on the motherboard 2000 or a transmission channel additionally bridged by other devices. When the measuring tool 1000 instructs the control unit 2800 to control the electronic device 2400 on the motherboard 2000 to supply power to the second slot 2600, the second measuring tool on the motherboard 2000 measures the related result and transmits a feedback signal to the first slot 2200 through the second slot 2600 and the aforementioned channels, so that the measuring tool 1000 receives the feedback signal through the first slot 2200. The channel is, for example, a system management bus (SMbus), but not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the measuring tool 1000 further generates a measurement result related to the second slot 2600 according to the received feedback signal. The measurement result indicates whether there is a short circuit or an open circuit in the relevant line of the second slot 2600, but not limited thereto.

In addition, the processing unit 1600 can perform more detailed determination according to the received feedback signal. In one embodiment, the processing unit 1600 further determines whether the voltage level of the relevant pin is within a tolerable range or standard to determine whether the relevant line is abnormal. For example, the processing unit 1600 may determine whether the voltage level on the relevant pin is greater than a predetermined upper limit or less than a predetermined lower limit. Alternatively, the processing unit 1600 may determine whether the voltage level on the relevant pin is pulled back to the desired voltage level for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the processing unit 1600 may determine whether the average voltage of the relevant pin in a predetermined time period is satisfactory. In fact, the processing unit 1600 may perform a corresponding analysis according to the type of the signal received by the second slot 2600, such as a pwm signal or a dc voltage signal. The above is merely exemplary, and it is not limited herein how the processing unit 1600 determines according to the voltage level on the associated pin.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention. Compared to fig. 1A and fig. 1B, in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 3, the measuring tool 1000 further has a storage medium 1300. The storage medium 1300 is used for storing the feedback signal or the measurement result as described above. And the storage medium 1300 is, for example, a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory. When the storage medium 1300 is a non-volatile memory, the storage medium 1300 may store the feedback signal or the measurement result even if no power is supplied to the measurement tool 1000 or no power is supplied to the storage medium 1300. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can detach the storage medium 1300 from the measuring tool 1000 and analyze and determine the data stored in the storage medium 1300 by other testing equipment.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention. Compared to fig. 1A and 1B, in the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, the measuring tool 1000 further has a control connection terminal 1800. The control connection terminal 1800 is used for connecting the computer 3000 electrically in a pluggable manner. The measuring tool 1000 can receive a control signal from the computer 3000 through the control connection terminal 1800. Alternatively, the measuring tool 1000 may also transmit the received feedback signal or the generated measurement result to the computer 3000 through the control connection terminal 1800. The user can then use the computer to instruct the measuring tool 1000 to transmit instructions to the motherboard 2000, or the user can also use the computer to process feedback signals or measurement results obtained from the measuring tool 1000. The control connection 1800 is, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or RJ45 network transmission interface of each version, or even Bluetooth (BT), wireless fidelity (WIFI) or second or even fourth generation (2)^nd,3^rd,4^thgeneration,2G,3G,4G), and the like. The computer 3000 may also be any computer device with computing function. The above description is exemplary only, and not intended to be limiting.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a measurement tool according to another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment corresponding to fig. 4, compared to fig. 1A and fig. 1B, the measuring tool 1000 further has a power connection end 1900. The power connection end 1900 is used for connecting the power supply 4000 electrically in a pluggable manner. In one embodiment, the measuring tool 1000 obtains ac power from the power supply 4000 through the power connection end 1900. In another embodiment, the measuring tool 1000 obtains dc power from the power supply 4000 through the power connection end 1900. The relevant power supply specification of the measuring tool 1000 can be freely planned according to actual needs after a person skilled in the art has reviewed the present specification, and is not limited herein. In another embodiment, when the measuring tool 1000 does not have the power connection end 1900, the measuring tool 1000 may also obtain the required power from the motherboard 2000 through the first slot 2200.

In summary, the present invention provides a measuring tool. The measuring jig is inserted into a first slot of the mainboard through the first connecting end or the second connecting end, and a processing unit of the measuring jig is used for transmitting a control signal to a control unit of the mainboard through the first slot. Therefore, the control unit of the mainboard can be controlled by the measuring tool provided by the invention during measurement, so that each element on the mainboard is controlled to act to provide corresponding voltage, current or signals. Therefore, the mainboard can be measured without starting the mainboard. By the method, the measuring speed is increased, the manual detection time is shortened, the loss caused by manual misjudgment is reduced, the detection accuracy is improved, the product quality is improved, and the cost is prevented from increasing due to the detection misjudgment.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. All changes and modifications that come within the spirit and scope of the invention are desired to be protected by the following claims. With regard to the scope of protection defined by the present invention, reference should be made to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A measuring tool is suitable for being inserted into a first slot of a mainboard, and comprises:

the first connecting end is used for being inserted into the first slot in a pluggable mode;

the second connecting end is inserted into the first slot in a pluggable manner; and

the processing unit is electrically connected with the first connecting end and the second connecting end, and when the first connecting end or the second connecting end is inserted into the first slot, the processing unit is used for transmitting a control signal to a control unit of the mainboard through the first slot so as to indicate the control unit to control the power supply of the electronic element on the mainboard and provide corresponding voltage, current or signal, so that the mainboard is measured under the condition that the mainboard is not started, and the processing unit further receives a feedback signal from a second slot of the mainboard through the first slot.

2. The measuring tool of claim 1, further comprising a storage medium electrically connected to the processing unit for storing the feedback signal.

3. The measurement tool of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further generates a measurement result related to the second socket according to the control signal and the feedback signal.

4. The measurement tool of claim 3, further comprising a storage medium electrically connected to the processing unit for storing the feedback signal or the measurement result.

5. The measurement tool of claim 1, wherein the format of the first connection end is different from the format of the second connection end.

6. The measuring fixture of claim 1, further comprising a control connection terminal electrically connected to the processing unit for pluggable connection to a computer.

7. The measuring fixture of claim 6, wherein said processing unit further obtains power from said computer through said control connection.

8. The measuring fixture of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further obtains power from the motherboard through the first slot.

9. The measuring fixture of claim 1, further comprising a power connection end for pluggable connection to a power supply.