Proteus Gmbh

Brian Keith Lucas

The invention is a system and method for calibrating a robotics system. The invention measures the actual performance of the robotics system when positioning objects at several calibration positions within an operational area. The invention then determines corrective factors based on the performance measurements. The robotics system uses the corrective factors to overcome positioning errors and operate in the field with extreme precision. The calibration system comprises a control system, a laser projection device, a plate, and a laser detection device. The robotics system positions the laser projection device to project a laser beam through a hole in the plate and onto a laser detection area on the laser detection device. The control system then directs the robotics system to move the laser projection device to a plurality of calibration positions. The laser detection device detects the laser beam on the laser detection surface when the laser beam is projected through the hole, and detects that the laser beam is not on the laser detection surface when the laser beam is projected onto the plate. The laser detection device provides information indicating the presence or absence of the laser beam to the control system. The control system determines a corrective factor for the robotics system based on the calibration positions and the information provided from the laser detection device.

Laser calibration of robotics systems

The printed circuit board fault injector circuit uses an automated fixture to enable a robot arm mechanism to position a probe at a designated test node on the printed circuit board under test and apply a fault signal thereto. The test apparatus ensures that the designated node is in contact with the fault injector probe and controllably applies a voltage and/or current signal of selected magnitude to the test node to typically create a stuck-at-one or a stuck-at-zero fault or any other definable condition. The fault injector probe produces a stuck-at-zero fault that is not subject to spurious high frequency harmonics by extending the dynamic range of the fault injector circuit to apply a negative voltage to the test node to rob the output stage of the logic circuit that drives the test node of all drive current, thereby forcing a solid stuck-at-zero condition. Additional monitoring circuitry is provided to detect excessive current drain from the fault injector circuit into the test node to avoid causing damage to the printed circuit board under test.

Printed circuit board fault injection circuit

The printed circuit board fault injection circuit uses an automated fixture to enable a robot arm mechanism to position a probe at a designated test node on the printed circuit board under test and apply a fault signal thereto. The test apparatus ensures that the designated node is in contact with the fault injector probe and controllably applies a voltage and/or current signal of selected magnitude to the test node to typically create a stuck-at-one or a stuck-at-zero fault or any other definable condition. The fault injector probe produces a stuck-at-zero fault that is not subject to spurious high frequency harmonics by extending the dynamic range of the fault injector circuit to apply a negative voltage to the test node to rob the output stage of the logic circuit that drives the test node of all drive current, thereby forcing a solid stuck-at-zero condition. Additional monitoring circuitry is provided to detect excessive current drain from the fault injector circuit into the test node to avoid causing damage to the printed circuit board under test.

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Avon, United Kingdom

Brian Keith Lucas