Patent ID: 6304839
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: G01R,G06F

Abstract:
A method for testing computer disk drives for power supply related failures, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a test system, said test system comprising:a host computer means for controlling said testing system and for recording resulting test data, said host computer means having an arbitrary waveform generation card, an analog to digital convertor card, and a general purpose interface bus;a programmable power supply means for supplying power supply voltages to said test system; anda universal power simulator means for simulating anomalous power conditions to said computer disk drive unit,wherein, said universal power simulator means comprises a relay decoding/controlling circuitry, a power switching circuitry, power ramping circuitry, voltage spike generating circuitry and disk drive computer interface adaptor circuitry;(b) providing a disk drive unit for testing; and(c) simulating anomalous power conditions comprising a power-on test sequence, a hot plugging condition, a power ramp condition, and a voltage spike condition, said simulating comprising manipulation of said universal power simulator means;(d) recording performance results.