The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 2016
Filed:
Nov. 19, 2013
Advantest Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Michael Jones, San Carlos, CA (US);
Takahiro Yasui, Gunma, JP;
Alan S. Krech, Jr., Fort Collins, CO (US);
Edmundo Delapuente, Cupertino, CA (US);
Taichi Fukuda, Isesaki, JP;
ADVANTEST CORPORATION, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method for performing test site synchronization within automated test equipment (ATE) is presented. The method comprises controlling a plurality of test program controllers (TPCs) using a plurality of bridge controllers (BCs), wherein each TPC can initiate multiple asynchronous events. For an asynchronous event initiated by a TPC, raising a busy flag while the asynchronous event is not yet complete and de-asserting the busy flag when the asynchronous event is complete, wherein the asynchronous event corresponds to a task requiring an indeterminate amount of time. It also comprises generating a busy signal in the first BCs in response to receiving a busy flag from any of the plurality of TPCs, wherein the busy signal remains asserted while any of the plurality of TPCs asserts a busy flag. Finally, it comprises transmitting the busy signal to the plurality of TPCs, wherein the TPCs use the busy signal to synchronize operations.