Patent ID: 6600723
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B60R,G05B,G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A method for testing and safeguarding an availability of a networked system assigned to a system carrier, in which a multiplicity of subscribers exchange data via a bus-type network comprising one or more lines, at least individual subscribers transmitting data via at least one line when specific voltage levels are applied to the at least one line by appropriate subscribers, and the data being evaluated in at least one receiving subscriber using voltage levels based on a signal criterion wherein the at least one line is monitored by the at least one receiving subscriber for one of an overshoot or undershoot of the voltage levels, the method comprising the acts of:performing one of discriminating, testing and measuring signals present on a bus-type network, during operation of the system, with respect to at least one signal criterion by individual subscribers in a network-wide manner for all subscribers; generating respective characteristic status data for each at least one signal criterion with respect to each subscriber; collecting and arranging the respective characteristic status data in at least one status map of the system, the status data characterizing both a current and at least one earlier status of tested subscribers, with respect to the at least one criterion; and obtaining at least one criterion from the characteristic status data, wherein a reference-earth potential of the individual subscribers in the networked system is one of discriminated, tested and measured as the at least one signal criterion.