Patent ID: 6725404
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A test apparatus for testing an electrical connector, the electrical connector including a first connector contact and a second connector contact, the first connector contact being in electrical communication with the second connector contact, the test apparatus comprising:a connector interface including a first test contact and a second test contact, the connector interface configured to electrically couple the first test contact to the first connector contact and to electrically couple the second test contact to the second connector contact; and a test circuit arrangement configured to determine the reliability of the electrical connector by determining propagation delay along a test signal path incorporating the electrical connector, wherein the test circuit arrangement includes: a test signal generator operable for generating a test signal, the test signal path coupled to the test signal generator and configured to transmit the test signal through the electrical connector via the connector interface to produce a transmitted signal; a reference signal generator operable for generating a reference signal; and a delay detector coupled to the test signal path and the reference signal generator, the delay detector operable for detecting a delay in the transmitted signal relative to the reference signal.